Drillers Return for Six Games Starting Tuesday

The Tulsa Drillers will be back at ONEOK Field Tuesday to kick off a six-game homestand. Tulsa will play three games with the Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics) August 6-8 before welcoming the Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers) to town for another three-game set August 9-11.

First pitch for all six games is scheduled for 7:05PM.

The Drillers are coming off back-to-back series wins over the Springfield Cardinals and Northwest Arkansas Naturals, and have now won seven their last nine contests.

Tulsa has split six games with Midland this season, with two of their three wins coming at home. The RoughRiders on the other hand swept the Drillers at ONEOK Field earlier in the year. Tulsa did, however, take two of three games in Frisco to win the latest series between the two clubs.

Top pitching prospects Daniel Winkler and Eddie Butler have been promoted from Advanced-A Modesto and will make their ONEOK Field debuts during the stand. Winkler, who leads the Colorado Rockies' farm system in wins (12) and strikeouts (152), will toe the rubber in his Drillers debut Tuesday night. Butler, meanwhile, will make his first start in Tulsa on Saturday against Frisco. The Virginia native was outstanding in his Drillers debut Sunday in Springdale, allowing only two hits and striking out six in five shutout innings.

Some of the promotions scheduled for the homestand will include an Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez Jersey Giveaway on August 8, Friday Night Fireworks on August 9 and a Drillers Tin Lunch Box Giveaway on Grand Slam Saturday, August 10. A complete list of upcoming promotions is below.

Individual tickets for all six games are now available online at TulsaDrillers.com, in person at the ONEOK Field Ticket Office (201 N. Elgin Avenue) or over the phone by calling (918) 744-5901.

BERGMAN TOSSES SHUTOUT:  On Friday night, Christian Bergman became the first Driller to throw a complete-game, shutout since his teammate Dan Houston accomplished the feat back on July 29, 2011. Bergman held the Northwest Arkansas Naturals to three hits in the game, striking out six and walking three, to notch his sixth victory of the year. He was named the Texas League's Pitcher of the Week for his performance.

ANOTHER ADDITION:  Pitchers Butler and Winkler are not the only additions to the Tulsa roster, as catcher Tom Murphy is expected to join the Drillers from Single A Asheville. Murphy leads the Tourists with 19 home runs and 74 runs batted in.

Butler, a 6'3" right-hander, is listed by MLB.com as the #3 prospect in the Rockies organization, while Murphy is listed as the #6 prospect in the system. Winkler has been one of the top pitchers in Colorado's farm system this season, leading the organization in wins (12) and strikeouts (152) to go along with a 2.97 ERA at Modesto.

JUMPING OUT IN FRONT: Tulsa is a Texas League-best 37-10 (.787) when scoring first this season.

KEEPING IT CLOSE:  The Drillers are 22-14 in one-run games, tops in the Texas League for one-run wins.

BETTIS UPDATE:  Last Thursday, the Colorado Rockies called up former Tulsa Drillers starting pitcher Chad Bettis to make his Major League debut on the road against the red-hot Atlanta Braves. Bettis suffered a loss in the game after allowing five runs on six hits over five innings. He will make his next start Wednesday in New York against Matt Harvey and the Mets.
 

TULSA DRILLERS SCHEDULE/PROMOTIONS (August 6-11)

Tuesday, August 6. . . Midland RockHounds (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM
2 WORKS FOR YOU $2 TUESDAY
The popular $2 Tuesday returns to ONEOK Field compliments of 2 Works for You. General Admission tickets on the Primeaux Kia Outfield Lawn are only $2.00 each, while all other tickets are discounted $3.00 off normal prices. In addition, hot dogs, Mazzio's Pizza slices, 21 ounce Pepsi fountain drinks and jumbo soft pretzels will be on sale for only $2.00 each. Finally, from 6:00-8:00PM, Corona bottles will be on sale for only $2 each at the beer carts located next to Siegi's Sausage Shack behind home plate and the BBQ Cart on the third base concourse.
BURST TO FIRST
After the game, all kids will be able show off their speed running from home plate to first base in our Burst to First compliments of Danny Beck Chevrolet.

Wednesday, August 7. . . Midland RockHounds (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM
BARK IN THE PARK
Dog owners can enjoy the game with their canine friends in the Primeaux Kia Outfield Lawn areas courtesy of City Vet Hospital, Animal Aid of Tulsa and 94.1 The Breeze. All dogs with proof of up-to-date vaccinations will gain free admission. Fans with dogs should enter the park through either the Oil Derrick or Arvest Entrances.

Thursday, August 8. . .Midland RockHounds (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM
PUDGE RODRIGUEZ JERSEYS / THIRSTY THURSDAY
It's your chance to get a replica jersey of one of the Drillers all-time greats, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez compliments of Primeaux Kia, Fox 23 and KRMG 740 AM & 102.3 FM and Rock 103.3. The first 1,000 fans, ages 5 and up, to enter ONEOK Field through the Arvest or Oil Derrick entrances with a paid admission will receive a replica of the #8 Drillers jersey Pudge wore during his 1991 season in Tulsa. It is also a Thirsty Thursday with 12 ounce servings of Budweiser and Bud Light and 16 ounce servings of Pepsi on sale for only $1 each!   

Friday, August 9. . . Frisco RoughRiders (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM
NEWS ON 6 FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS
Friday Night Fireworks returns to ONEOK Field courtesy of AAA, 98.5 KVOO and News on 6. The Drillers open a three-game series with the Frisco RoughRiders and after the game will light up the skies above downtown Tulsa!

Saturday, August 10. . . Frisco RoughRiders (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM 
TULSA'S CHANNEL 8 GRAND SLAM SATURDAY LIBRRAY READING NIGHT / DRILLERS LUNCH BOXES
It's a Grand Slam Saturday at ONEOK Field presented by Williams, Tulsa City-County Libraries and Tulsa's Channel 8! Students who have completed the Summer Reading Program through their library have a coupon that will provide free general admission tickets for up to four students and allow parents to purchase lawn general admission tickets for only $2 each. In addition, the first 1,000 fans, ages 14 and under, to enter through the Arvest and Oil Derrick Entrances will receive Drillers Tin Lunch Boxes. 

In addition, the Drillers will be collecting books for donation to the Steve and Gwen Malcolm Giving Library located at the Hutcherson YMCA. All fans that donate a book will receive a coupon redeemable for a 16 ounce soft drink at the ONEOK Field concession stands.

Sunday, August 11. . . Frisco RoughRiders (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM
2 WORKS FOR YOU SOUVENIR SUNDAY / GLOW-IN-THE-DARK BASEBALLS
The first 500 fans, ages 12 and under, to enter the stadium through the Arvest and Oil Derrick Entrances with a paid admission will receive Drillers Glow-in-the-Dark Baseballs. All fans ages 12 and under will also receive a Kids Eat FREE coupon that is redeemable for a free hot dog, ice cream and milk. It is all courtesy of the Green Country Chevy Dealers, K95.5FM and 2 Works for You.
SPLASH DOWN SUNDAY / KIDS RUN THE BASES
Young fans are encouraged to wear their bathing suits to enjoy our Splash Down Zone in Hornsby's Hangout area, including the water spout presented by EMSA and the Tulsa Fire Department. Finally, after the game, all kids will be able run the bases compliments of the Green Country Chevy Dealers.
MASCOT MANIA
Hornsby has invited several of his mascot friends to the ballpark, and they will all be on hand to entertain fans of all ages!