Tulsa Takes Series Opener

Tulsa, OK-Chris Mariscal hit a two-run homerun but the Arkansas Travelers (19-21) fell to the Tulsa Drillers (21-19), 4-2 on Friday night. It was the Travs' fourth straight loss and they are now tied for third place in the division two games back. Arkansas struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities as they were just 1-10 with runners in scoring position. Starter Nathan Bannister gave up four runs in four innings and was charged with the loss. Tulsa's Devin Smeltzer picked up his first win of the year by working six innings and allowing only two runs on four hits.
Moments That Mattered
* Arkansas had runners at second and third with no one out in the second inning but failed to score when Joseph Odom's line drive was caught and the next two hitters struck out.
* After Mariscal's homer had given the Travs a one-run lead in the top of the third, Tulsa answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to quickly regain the lead.
* Singles from Joe DeCarlo and Adam Law and a walk by Braden Bishop loaded the bases with one out in the seventh but the Travs could only muster Chuck Taylor's sac fly to push across their final run of the night.
Notable Travs Performances
* CF Braden Bishop: 1-4, run, BB, 2B
* SS Chris Mariscal: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI
* 1B Joey Curletta: 2-4
* LHP Spencer Herrmann: 3 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 K
Up Next
Game two of the series is Saturday night with lefty Anthony Misiewicz (1-2, 3.86) on the mound against Tulsa righty Tyler Pill (0-1, 5.19 in AAA) who comes down from Triple-A to make the start. First pitch from Tulsa is at 7:05 and the game will be broadcast on the Sports Animal 920, the First Pitch App, TuneIn radio and milb.tv.