Drillers Earn Big Win in Series Opener with Cardinals
TULSA, OK – Coming off of winning five out of six games last week, the Tulsa Drillers continued their two-week home stand Tuesday night at ONEOK Field. The Drillers winning ways continued behind a high-powered offense as Tulsa set new season highs in hits and runs scored in a 14-1
TULSA, OK – Coming off of winning five out of six games last week, the Tulsa Drillers continued their two-week home stand Tuesday night at ONEOK Field. The Drillers winning ways continued behind a high-powered offense as Tulsa set new season highs in hits and runs scored in a 14-1 win over the Springfield Cardinals.
The potent offense was matched by another stellar performance from the pitching staff, as five pitchers limited the Redbirds to six hits and one run.
After a scoreless first inning, both teams scored runs in the second, but the Drillers were able to gain the advantage. L.J. Jones accounted for Springfield’s only run of the night on a solo home run.
Tulsa scored four runs in the bottom half of the second and never looked back as the runs scored on a sacrifice fly, a two-run homer from Brandon Lewis, and Jonny DeLuca’s solo homer.
Andy Pages plated the Drillers fifth run with an RBI single to bring the score to 5-1.
A familiar face took the mound for the Cardinals in the sixth inning as former Drillers hurler Jose Martinez made his return to ONEOK Field for the first time since being a minor league Rule-5 draft pick. The Drillers quickly scored five more runs, beginning with Jose Ramos’ home run. Pages and Imanol Vargas each singled and combined to drive in three runs and extend the Drillers to 10-1.
The bats did not slow down in the seventh and eighth innings, as Tulsa added four more runs to increase the lead to 14-1.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:
*Nick Nastrini made another strong start for Tulsa as he earned his first win of the 2023 season by tossing five innings with four strikeouts.
*Braydon Fisher, John Rooney, Trevor Bettencourt and Ben Harris combined to hold the Cardinals scoreless over the final four innings. The relievers totaled eight more strikeouts to bring Tulsa’s total to 12 for the night.
*DeLuca’s home run was his ninth of the season, putting him one back for most in the Texas League. He trails Springfield’s Chandler Redmond, who has ten blasts for the year.
*The Drillers pitching staff has been one of the best in the minors in May. The staff has combined for a 1.68 ERA in the first seven games of the month. They entered Tuesday’s game trailing only the Vancouver Canadians.
Since the Drillers scored at least seven runs in the game, fans can purchase a large, one-topping pizza from Mazzio's for just $7 all day Wednesday. The offer is only good online at Mazzios.com and when you use the code DRILLERS at checkout.
UP NEXT:
*The Drillers will continue their six-game series against the Cardinals with a day game on Wednesday afternoon at ONEOK Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. and the pitching matchup will be be:
Springfield – LHP Kenny Hernandez (3-0, 4.30 ERA)
Tulsa – RHP River Ryan (0-0, 1.65 ERA)