TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Richards Stops Drillers Again

Published on July 31, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


Garrett Richards made another start for Arkansas against the Tulsa Drillers Saturday night in Little Rock, and it was another dominating performance for the former University of Oklahoma pitcher. The right-hander worked eight shutout innings, allowing only four hits, as the Travelers blanked the Drillers 4-0.

The win improved Richards' season record to 12-1, including a 5-1 mark in seven starts against the Drillers. The 12 victories lead the Texas League.

For the fifth time this season, Tulsa's Cory Riordan had the misfortune of pitching opposite Richards. As he has done previously, Riordan again pitched effectively, surrendering only three runs in six innings of work. The loss dropped his season record to 1-11.

It was the home run ball that hampered Riordan. With the game scoreless, he retired Gabe Jacobo on strikes to begin the open the bottom of the fourth, but Roberto Lopez and Orlando Mercado followed with back-to-back, solo homers to give the Travelers the lead. Chris Pettit followed with a base hit and then scored on a two-out double from Jon Townsend to increase the margin to 3-0.

Tulsa's deficit remained three runs until Arkansas added a final run off Casey Weathers in the seventh inning. Matt Cusick drew a one-out walk and eventually scored on a base hit by Jacobo.

The Drillers were limited to only five hits in the game, with three coming off the bat of shortstop Hector Gomez. The shortstop produced two doubles and a single and gave Tulsa its best chance to score. One of his doubles came to lead off the fourth, and the Drillers eventually loaded the bases with two outs, but Richards struck out Mike Zuanich to end the threat.

Despite the defeat, the Drillers remain only one game behind Northwest Arkansas in the North Division standings because the Naturals were beaten by Springfield.

Tulsa and Arkansas will play the third game of their four-game series at 6:00PM Sunday night at Dickey-Stephens Park. Christian Friedrich (6-7, 4.37 ERA) will pitch for the Drillers against Orangel Arenas (8-5, 4.25 ERA) of the Travelers.

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics

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Texas League Stories from July 31, 2011


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