Rogers Shines As Drillers Split DH
Game one starting pitcher Esmil Rogers was unquestionably the night's top performer. Rogers threw six no-hit innings before leaving the game after reaching his early season pitch limit.
The right-hander allowed three walks and hit a batter, but the Travelers were unable to muster a hit. Rogers struck out six. He departed with the score tied at 0-0 after throwing 93 pitches in his six dominating innings.
The game turned in the Travs favor after Rogers' departure. When the Drillers failed to score in the top of the seventh, the Travs struck quickly against reliever Tommy Baumgardner. Hank Conger greeted Baumgardner with a leadoff single and then advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Ben Johnson. The Drillers intentionally walked Mark Trumbo, but the plan backfired when Ryan Mount ended the game with a base hit that scored Conger with the only run of the game.
In game two, the Travs jumped to a 3-0 lead with a run in the first inning and two more in the second against starter Andy Graham.
The Drillers answered with two runs of their own in the top of the third and another run in the fourth to tie the game at 3-3.
In the third, newcomer Jose Gonzalez singled in his first Double A at-bat, and scored on a triple by Chris Nelson. Nelson came home on an RBI ground out from Michael Paulk to cut the Arkansas lead to 3-2.
The Drillers tied the game in the fourth as Darin Holcomb doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Rex Rundgren.
They took the lead with a two-run fifth as Anthony Jackson singled and scored on another triple by Nelson. Paulk increased Tulsa's lead to 5-3 with a run-scoring double.
Xavier Cedeno, Shane Lindsay and Andrew Johnston combined to keep the Travelers scoreless over the final 3½ innings.
Cedeno (1-0) was credited with the win, while Johnston collected his sixth save.
The Drillers and Travelers will continue their series Thursday night. Chaz Roe will pitch for Tulsa against Trevor Reckling of Arkansas. First pitch will be at 7:10PM at Dickey-Stephens Park.
NOTES: Gonzalez joined the Drillers just before the start of the first game. He replaced Johnny Bowden who was placed on the disabled list with elbow soreness. Gonzalez was expected to begin his season with short-season Tri-Cities. . . .The game two start for Graham was not unusual. He was a starter in his first two professional seasons before converting to the bullpen last year while with Modesto. . . .Cole Garner was unavailable during the doubleheader. He was sent back to the team's hotel with flu-like symptoms. . . .Lindsay left the second game with an apparent injury after facing only one batter.
Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore