Travs Drop Drillers 5-4 in Homestand Finale
Published on July 19, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Drillers outhit the Travs 11-5 Saturday night, but 9 walks issued by the Tulsa pitching staff made the difference in the ballgame. Arkansas took advantage of the free passes, while shortstop Eric Stamets continued to stay hot against Tulsa as the Travs defeated the Drillers 5-4 at ONEOK Field.
During the 4-game series, Stamets went 6-16 with seven RBI as he helped Arkansas earn a series split with Saturday's victory. On the other side of the field, Tulsa outfielder Peter Lavin went 0-4 to bring a close to his 11-game hitting streak.
Following four scoreless innings to begin the night, the Drillers drew first blood in the bottom of the fourth inning. First baseman Lars Anderson led off with his 21st double of the year and came around to score two batters later when Kyle Farmer brought him in with a single to left to put Tulsa up 1-0. But the lead would be short-lived.
Tulsa starter Jairo Heredia threw four shutout innings to start the ballgame, but appeared to tire in the fifth as he put men on first and second with one out. After striking out Sherman Johnson however, Heredia looked as if he would escape the inning. But Stamets continued to haunt the Drillers' pitching staff as he grounded a double down the left field line to score both runners and give Arkansas a 2-1 lead.
The sixth inning was when things seemed to unravel from a pitching standpoint for Tulsa. After beginning the inning with a strikeout, reliever Mike Thomas loaded the bases thanks to a double and two walks. He was then relieved by Juan Jaime who struck out Drew Maggi, but then proceeded to walk in two runs to extend the Travs' advantage to 4-1.
Things got exciting from there as the Drillers scored twice in the bottom of the sixth on RBI knocks from Anderson and Farmer. At that point, Tulsa had runners on first and third with one out as it seemed poised to tie it up and even take the lead. But the rally was cut short when Yadir Drake was thrown out at the plate trying to steal home on the back end of a double steal. Erisbel Arruebarrena then struck out to end the inning with Tulsa trailing 4-3.
Arkansas scored another run in the seventh thanks to two more walks from Jaime before he was replaced by Jorge De Leon. De Leon got two outs before Cal Towey hit an RBI single to left. The throw from left fielder Jeremy Rathjen beat the runner to home on the play, but it took a hop that kept catcher Ali Solis from fielding it cleanly, allowing the Travs to take a 5-3 lead.
Rathjen did his best to atone for the play the next half inning as he smoked his fifth home run of the year. The opposite field blast to right brought the Drillers within one, but that would be as close as they would get.
Closer Greg Mahle came on in the ninth and set the Drillers down 1-2-3 to end the night and earn his eighth save of the year.
Heredia took the loss for Tulsa while Michael Brady picked up his fourth win of the year for Arkansas.
The Drillers now head to Springdale, Arkansas to begin a four-game set with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Getting the starting nod Sunday night will be Jeremy Kehrt (5-6, 3.61 ERA) for the Drillers while the Naturals counter with Luke Farrell (1-2, 3.72 ERA.) First pitch will take place at 6:05PM.
Texas League Stories from July 19, 2015
- Hooks Harness 'Hounds - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Wisdom Swings Cards Close, But Travs Escape with 3-2 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Strike Late to Beat Naturals - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Fall to Tulsa in Series Opener - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Needy's Complete-Game Effort Sparks Missions in Opener - San Antonio Missions
- Six Unearned Runs Send Riders to Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
- A Loss ... and a Standing Ovation - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Hold on in Another One-Run Thriller - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Rout Riders - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Drop Drillers 5-4 in Homestand Finale - Tulsa Drillers
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