"D" Leads to an "L" as the 'Hounds Fall, 5-2

Tulsa Drillers 5, RockHounds 2

Saturday, September 17, 2021

Momentum Bank Ballpark

The RockHounds have been very “good with the gloves” in 2021, ranking just one point behind league-leading Arkansas in fielding percentage (.982 to .981), but the “D” led to an “L” Saturday night at Momentum Bank Ballpark.

A pair of errors helped Tulsa score three unearned runs … the final margin … as the Drillers defeated the ‘Hounds, 5-2.

It appeared the RockHounds had cut down a runner trying to score on a first-inning sacrifice fly attempt, but the ball came out of catcher Kyle McCann’s glove as he applied the tag, allowing the game’s first run to score.

Jonah Bride (who also made some terrific plays) missed a pop fly to second base in fifth and Tulsa took advantage of the miscue, scoring two more unearned runs on RBI doubles from Justin Yurchak and Hunter Fedducia.

James Outman doubled and scored in the first inning and drove in the Drillers’ second run with a second-inning single. An RBI double by Miguel Vargas in the seventh capped Tulsa’s scoring, building the lead to 5-0.

Edwin Diaz doubled leading off the RockHounds’ seventh and scored on Max Schuemann’s RBI single.

Max then stole second … his 50th stolen base of the season … 34 with High-A Lansing and 16 with the RockHounds.,

Chase Calabuig … who is 4-for-10 with a home run and five RBI in the last two games … brought Schuemann home moments after Max’s thievery.Jhonny Santos then singled, bringing the tying run to the plate, but Tulsa reliever Aaron Ochenbein escaped the jam and Nick Robertson pitched the last inning-and-a-third to close the game and earn the save.

Kibbles & Bits

It appears Jared Koenig has locked up the Double-A Central earned run average championships (one of the best stories of the year) and several other league statistical titles will be on the line in Sunday’s season finale.

Tulsa’s Miguel Vargas is almost assured of winning the batting title … Drillers outfielder Ryan Noda leads the home run race (29, leads by one) and is tied for the RBI lead (78) … and the RockHounds’ Jonah Bride is in a tight race for the on-base percentage crown. He leads Springfield’s Nick Plummer, .407 to .404, but Plummer is now with (AAA) Memphis, so his number won’t change. Gonna be interesting!

Next Game: Sunday, September 19

RockHounds vs. Tulsa Drillers

Final game of the 2021 season

First Pitch at 2:00

Fan Appreciation & Sunday Family Day

(Five tickets for $25 with a coupon from the Sunday edition of the Midland Reporter-Telegram).

Sponsored by All-American Chevrolet of Midland

Probable Starters

TUL Bobby Miller (RH, 0-0, 6.35)

RH Matt Milburn (RH, 3-4, 4.81)