Drillers Shut Out in Arkansas
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR – Saturday night’s meeting between the Tulsa Drillers and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park was dominated by pitching and featured just ten total and hits and two runs. Unfortunately for the Drillers, both runs were scored by the Travelers as they posted 2-0 win over
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR – Saturday night’s meeting between the Tulsa Drillers and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park was dominated by pitching and featured just ten total and hits and two runs. Unfortunately for the Drillers, both runs were scored by the Travelers as they posted 2-0 win over Tulsa.
It was the second time on the current road trip that the Drillers have been shut out and the fifth time this season.
The Drillers are now 2-9 on the road trip with just one game remaining on the trip, a final meeting with the Travelers on Sunday afternoon in North Little Rock.
Tulsa lost despite getting a strong outing from starting pitcher Landon Knack. The right-hander delivered his best outing of the season, blanking the Travelers through the first four innings on only one hit.
Both of the runs from the Travelers came in the fifth inning against reliever Alec Gamboa. Cade Marlowe singled and Kaden Polcovich walked to open the inning. After the runners moved up on a ground out, Tanner Kirwer hit a pop up in foul territory down the right field line. Tulsa first baseman Brandon Lewis bobbled the pop up but made the catch, allowing Marlowe to tag and scored the game’s first run.
Riley Unroe followed with a ground ball single into left field that scored Polcovich to up the Travelers to 2-0.
It would be all the offense they needed as starting pitcher Stephen Kolek combined with three relievers on the shutout. The Drillers were held without a hit over the final five innings of the game.
Kolek was credited with the win, improving his season record to 5-12, while Gamboa suffered the loss, dropping his record to 9-3.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:
*It was the tenth shutout of the season for Arkansas. The Travelers are tied with Frisco for the most shutouts in the Texas League this season.
*Tulsa batters struck out 13 times in the game and were 0-5 with runners in scoring position.
*Kody Hoese produced two of Tulsa’s five hits, getting a pair of singles in four at-bats.
*The Travelers also finished with five hits in the contest. All ten hits in the game were singles.
*Arkansas pitchers benefited from three double plays from the Travelers defense.
*Prior to the game, the Drillers announced a roster shuffle with pitcher Adolfo Ramirez returning to Great Lakes. Pitcher Keegan Curtis was removed from the Injured List to fill the roster spot.
UP NEXT:
The Drillers will conclude their two-week road trip with the series finale against the Travelers on Sunday afternoon. Starting time is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. at Dickey-Stephens Park, and the pitching matchup will be:
Tulsa – RHP Kyle Hurt (1-2, 7.67 ERA)
Arkansas – RHP Taylor Dollard (13-2, 2.05 ERA)