TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Warner, Cards Blank Drillers

Published on July 23, 2018 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


Errol Robinson of the Tulsa Drillers is caught in a rundown by the Springfield Cardinals
Errol Robinson of the Tulsa Drillers is caught in a rundown by the Springfield Cardinals
(Tulsa Drillers, Credit: Rich Crimi)

The Tulsa Drillers were hoping that a return to ONEOK Field Monday night would also mark the return of their recent offensive production. But Springfield starting pitcher Austin Warner had other ideas. The lefthander held Tulsa without a hit through the first five innings and got the support of four home runs as Springfield blanked the Drillers 8-0 in game one of a three-game series.

For the Drillers, it was their fourth loss in the past five games. In those four losses, they have combined to score a total of only five runs and have been shut out in two of the defeats.

The Tulsa offense had been the hottest in the Texas League through much of July, but Warner stymied the Drillers. The lefthander allowed only one baserunner through the first five innings, surrendering a leadoff walk to Errol Robinson in the bottom of the first. From there, he would set down the next 15 batters in order.

Mike Ahmed ended the streak and Warner's no-hit bid when he led off the sixth with an opposite-field single.

The Cardinals gave Warner an early lead when they opened the scoring in the top of the second. Former Drillers outfielder Johan Mieses led off with a triple and scored the game's first run on an infield single by Andrew Knizner.

A two-run homer by John Nogowski in the third inning upped the Cardinals lead to 3-0.

Knizner increased the margin to 4-0 when he led off the fourth with his sixth home run of the season.

Tulsa starting pitcher Andrew Sopko would leave the game later in the inning with an apparent issue with his throwing hand. Smeltzer got the final out in the fourth and worked a scoreless fifth before the Cards tacked on two more runs in the sixth.

Pedro Baez, on an injury-rehabilitation assignment from the Los Angeles Dodgers, followed Smeltzer to the mound and worked 1.1 innings, surrendering one run on another sole homer from Knizner.

Lane Thomas capped Springfield's big night with his 19th home run of the season, depositing an offering from Stetson Allie into the Busch Terrace to make it 8-0.

WHAT YOU MISSED

*The game marked the sixth time this season that Tulsa has been held without a run. Four of the shutouts have occurred at ONEOK Field.

*The Drillers announced a roster change on Monday afternoon. Reliever Nolan Long returned to Rancho Cucamonga, and reliever Marshall Kasowski was added to the Tulsa roster from the Quakes.

*Jacob Scavuzzo was named the Texas League Hitter of the Week on Monday after hitting .536 with three doubles and four homers during the week.

*Sopko was tagged with the loss, his first at the Double-A level this season.

*Tulsa was limited to only three hits in the game, all singles.

UP NEXT

The two teams will continue their series Tuesday night at ONEOK Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in downtown Tulsa. The pitching matchup will be:

TBA

Parker Curry (1-2, 4.00 ERA)

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics

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Images from this story

Errol Robinson of the Tulsa Drillers is caught in a rundown by the Springfield Cardinals
Errol Robinson of the Tulsa Drillers is caught in a rundown by the Springfield Cardinals
(Rich Crimi)		   



Texas League Stories from July 23, 2018


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