Tulsa, OK-The Tulsa Drillers took the opener of a four game series from the Arkansas Travelers 11-7 on Sunday night behind an eight run fourth inning. It was the biggest inning put up against the Travs this season. All eight runs scored with two out in the inning with Tulsa
Tulsa, OK-The Tulsa Drillers took the opener of a four game series from the Arkansas Travelers 11-7 on Sunday night behind an eight run fourth inning. It was the biggest inning put up against the Travs this season.
All eight runs scored with two out in the inning with Tulsa taking the lead on a fifty foot infield roller off the bat of Errol Robinson. After starter Brett Ash was chased from the game, they jumped on reliever Kyle Hunter collecting four straight hits including a three-run homer by Peter O'Brien. When the dust settled, Tulsa sent 12 men to the plate scoring eight runs on seven hits and two walks.
Two big innings came from the Traveler offense as well. The third inning saw them score four times to jump ahead with Chuck Taylor knocking in one on a single and Seth Mejias-Brean driving home two on a hit. Later, down by eight runs, the Travs put up four in the sixth inning. Ryan Casteel jumpstarted the inning with a solo homer to left. After loading the bases on two hits and an error, Ian Miller's fielder choice grounder plated one, then after another walk reloading the bases, Kyle Waldrop hit a sacrifice fly. Finally, Ian Miller raced home on a wild pitch to end the scoring.
In between the two big innings for Arkansas though, Tulsa scored all 11 of their runs. Jose Miguel Fernandez led the Drillers going 3-5 with a solo homer (his 13th) and three runs driven in. He was one of seven Drillers to record a multi-hit game. Miller, Dario Pizzano, Casteel and Marcus Littlewood each had two hits for the Travs.
Eddie Gamboa (1-0) picked up the win working five innings. Brett Ash (5-9) took the loss after not getting out of the fourth inning.
Arkansas looks to bounce back and even the series on Monday night. First pitch in Tulsa is at 7:05 with Dylan Unsworth (8-6, 3.43) on the hill for the Travs against a yet to be announced starter for the Drillers. The game will also be broadcast on the Sports Animal 920, the First Pitch App, TuneIn radio and milb.tv.
