TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Verdugo's Big Day Leads to Big Win for Drillers

Published on May 9, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


Tulsa Drillers Pitcher Scott Barlow
Tulsa Drillers Pitcher Scott Barlow
(Tulsa Drillers, Credit: Naeem Thomas)

Tulsa Drillers outfielder Alex Verdugo had a game to remember Monday morning and afternoon at ONEOK Field. Verdguo, who is rated as the sixth best prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system by MLB.com, went 3-4 with two home runs, including a grand slam, and knocked in seven runs to lead the Drillers to a 10-0 victory over the Springfield Cardinals.

The victory was the second straight shutout win for the Drillers and moved them to within 3.5 games of the first-place Redbirds, pending the outcome of the Northwest Arkansas game with Arkansas Monday night.

Verdugo's big day began in the very first inning. With two outs and Brandon Trinkwon at first base, Verdugo launched a pitch from Corey Baker high over the right field wall. The ball landed on the stadium concourse before bouncing over the perimeter fence and onto Elgin Avenue.

Jacob Scavuzzo promptly added to the lead when he followed Verdugo's shot with his second home run of the season. The back-to-back homers staked the Drillers to a quick 3-0 lead.

Verdugo struck again in the bottom of the second. Three singles from pitcher Scott Barlow, Trinkwon and Kyle Farmer loaded the bases with two outs for the Tulsa centerfielder, and Verdugo cleared them with his second home run of the game. The grand slam, the first of the year for the Drillers, increased the lead to 7-0.

The seventh and final RBI for Verdugo came in the fourth inning when he singled home Andrew Toles with a base hit off the glove of third baseman Paul DeJong.

The seven runs batted in were the most for a Drillers hitter since Hector Gomez also picked up seven in a 13-8 win at Springfield on July 18, 2011.

Tulsa's big offensive day was capped in the bottom of the eighth when Toles hit a solo homer that deflected off the glove of right fielder Breyvic Valera before landing in the bullpen.

The offensive output was more than enough for starting pitcher Scott Barlow, who continued a strong run of form for Tulsa pitchers. Barlow allowed six hits and issued only one walk in six shutout innings. The win improved the right-hander's record to 1-2, while the six scoreless frames lowered his ERA to 2.67.

Seth Frankoff worked two shutout innings in relief of Barlow, and Felipe Gonzalez, who was activated from the disabled list just prior to the start of the game, worked around a pair of singles to pitch a scoreless ninth.

Tulsa pitchers have now combined to work 23 straight scoreless innings.

Offensively, the Drillers totaled 13 hits in the victory and equaled season highs with the 10 runs and the 4 home runs.

First baseman Lars Anderson matched Verdugo with three hits, while Toles and Trinkwon collected two each.

The two teams will conclude their series Tuesday night at ONEOK Field. The pitching matchup for the finale will feature Chase De Jong (2-3, 3.66 ERA) for the Drillers and Mike Mayers (2-2, 2.83 ERA) for the Cardinals. Starting time is slated for 7:05PM.

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics

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Images from this story

Alex Verdugo of the Tulsa Drillers Receives Congratulations following his Grand Slam
Alex Verdugo of the Tulsa Drillers Receives Congratulations following his Grand Slam
(Rich Crimi)		 Tulsa Drillers Pitcher Scott Barlow
Tulsa Drillers Pitcher Scott Barlow
(Naeem Thomas)		  



Texas League Stories from May 9, 2016


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