Drillers Edge RoughRiders 2-1 Behind Uceta

FRISCO, TX - The <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tulsa Drillers have had a difficult time scoring runs recently, resulting in a three-game losing streak. Thursday night in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Frisco, <st1:state w:st="on">Texas, the offense continued to struggle, scoring just two runs, but it was enough to snap the losing streak thanks to another quality outing from pitcher Edwin Uceta. The right-hander threw five shutout innings, and the Drillers two runs were just enough to record a 2-1 win at Dr Pepper Ballpark.   
Uceta allowed just three hits in his five scoreless frames, walking two batters and striking out four. The 21-year-old native of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dominican Republic has been one of the Texas League's top pitchers over the last month. He has allowed one earned run or less in seven of his last eight starts, compiling a 1.36 ERA during the stretch.
One inning before his departure, the Drillers gave Uceta a lead when they scored the game's first run in the top of the fifth inning. Omar Estevez drew a leadoff walk and was at second base with two outs thanks to a wild pitch. Drew Avans delivered the clutch, two-out hit when he doubled to plate Estevez, giving <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tulsa the lead.
The margin doubled to 2-0 in the sixth. Cristian Santana singled with one out and eventually scored on a two-out double by Estevez.
The <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tulsa bullpen took over from there. Michael Boyle did not allow a base runner in two scoreless innings after taking over for Uceta.  
Frisco's only run came against Ryan Moseley in the bottom of the eighth when the former Texas Tech hurler set the Riders up by issuing consecutive walks. With the runners at first and third, a two-out single by Charles Leblanc scored Leody Taveras to pull the RoughRiders to within a run.
Nolan Long relieved Mosely and got a fly out to end the inning and limit the damage to a single run.  
Long closed out the win with an efficient bottom of the ninth, needing just ten pitches to set the Riders down in order and pick up his third save of the season.
WHAT YOU MISSED
Before the game, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced a trade that affected the Drillers. The Dodgers traded <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tulsa reliever Andre Scrubb to the Houston Astros for major league outfielder Tyler White. Scrubb was a Texas League All-Star this season and had a 6-1 record with a 2.45 ERA. The Drillers activated Logan Bawcom from the Injured List to fill the vacated roster spot.
Uceta got the victory to improve his Double-A record to 3-2 with all three wins coming in his last three starts.
After being held without a hit the previous night, Santana resumed his hot hitting by going 2-4. Estevez and Avans joined Santana with two hits in the win.
Frisco was limited to just four hits in the game.
*With the win, Tulsa moved to within one game of Springfield and Arkansas who are in a first-place tie atop the North Division standings.
 
UP NEXT:  <st1:city w:st="on">Tulsa at Frisco, Friday, July 26, at 7:05 PM at Dr Pepper Ballpark in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Frisco, <st1:state w:st="on">TX. RHP Parker Curry (3-4, 2.96 ERA) versus RHP Tyler Phillips (3-7, 6.36 ERA).