Lars Anderson Delivers Again

Offensive production has been tough to come by for the Tulsa Drillers in recent games, but Lars Anderson helped solved the problem Saturday night in Little Rock. Anderson's three-run homer turned a two-run deficit into a 5-4 win over the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park.

The Drillers appeared headed to their third straight loss after the Travelers produced a four-run third inning to take a 4-0 lead, but Tulsa slowly cut into the deficit.

The comeback began when Brandon Dixon singled home a run in the fourth, and newcomer Jeremy Rathjen delivered a run-scoring double in the sixth.

Trailing 4-2, the Drillers game-winning rally began with a leadoff single by Travis Witherspoon in the top of the seventh. Yadir Drake reach on an error, bringing Anderson to the plate. The first baseman, who delivered a walk-off homer on Tuesday against Springfield, struck again against the Travelers. The former first round pick of the Boston Red Sox deposited a 0-2 pitch from reliever Alan Busenitz over the right field fence for his fourth homer of the season to give the Drillers a 5-4 lead.

The Tulsa bullpen maintained the lead with three scoreless innings. Mike Thomas allowed only one hit while keeping the Travs off the scoreboard in the seventh and innings, and Jacob Rhame pitched around a one-out walk in the ninth to close out the win. For Rhame, it was his first save of the year.

Matt West (1-1) picked up his first win of the season with three scoreless relief innings.

The Drillers will close out their series in North Little Rock Sunday afternoon. Chris Anderson (3-4, 4.84 ERA) will look for his fourth win of the season as he takes the mound for Tulsa in the finale. First pitch is scheduled for 2:10PM at Dickey-Stephens Park.