Pitching Staff Leads Drillers to 5th Straight Win

Despite not being able to play two of the last three nights due to heavy rains that have soaked the state of Texas, the Tulsa Drillers began their series against the Midland RockHounds without missing a beat. Thanks to another strong performance from their pitching staff, the Drillers defeated the two-time defending Texas League champions 3-1 for their fifth straight victory Friday night in Midland.

Tulsa has now won five straight for the second time this season. Beyond that streak, the Drillers have won 20 of their last 27 contests, including 10 of their last 11 games.

The victory also marked the fifth straight winning decision for Tulsa starter Trevor Oaks as the right-hander picked up eight strikeouts en route to earning his sixth win of the year.

The Drillers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as they pushed the first run of the game across the plate three batters in. Following a one out walk to Brandon Trinkwon, Jacob Scavuzzo brought him home with a sharp double into left field to put Tulsa in front 1-0.

Scavuzzo was in the middle of the action yet again in the third. With Andrew Toles on second and Trinkwon on first with one out, Scavuzzo dropped a soft single into right. Toles scored and Scavuzzo moved to second after Trinkwon was thrown out at third base on the play.

Cody Bellinger then swapped places with Scavuzzo as he yanked a double past the right fielder to increase the Drillers advantage to 3-0.

Meanwhile, Oaks cruised through the first three innings before Midland got on the board in the bottom of the fourth.

Facing Viosergy Rosa to lead off the fourth, Oaks saw his second pitch of the frame deposited over the fence in right field as Rosa connected for his fourth home run of the year. The homer made the score 3-1, but that would be as close as the RockHounds would get.

Oaks buckled down from there as he allowed just two scattered base hits over the next two innings to continue the string of strong performances from Tulsa's starting rotation. With his six innings of one-run ball, Oaks turned in the seventh straight quality start from a Tulsa starting pitcher. Coincidentally, the Drillers have won six of those seven contests.

Rob Rogers and Michael Johnson tag teamed to cover the seventh and eighth innings for the Drillers before turning the game over to Scott Griggs for the ninth.

Griggs gave up a base hit to begin the final frame, but settled down to get a groundout before striking out the final two Midland batters to secure the victory. It was the third save of the year for Griggs as the Tulsa bullpen did its job to keep the winning streak rolling.

The Drillers and RockHounds will continue their series Saturday night. RHP Tim Shibuya (0-1, 2.00 ERA) will get the start for Tulsa while Midland will counter with RHP Corey Walter (0-2, 2.25 ERA). First pitch from Midland is scheduled for 7:00 PM.