Drillers Fail to Hold Lead, Lose Third Straight
TULSA, OK – The Tulsa Drillers missed an opportunity on Thursday night to earn their first win in a six-game series with the Wichita Wind Surge. After falling behind early, Tulsa used a six-run fourth inning to take the lead, but it did not last long as Wichita rallied with
TULSA, OK – The Tulsa Drillers missed an opportunity on Thursday night to earn their first win in a six-game series with the Wichita Wind Surge. After falling behind early, Tulsa used a six-run fourth inning to take the lead, but it did not last long as Wichita rallied with seven runs over the final four innings and defeated the Drillers 11-8 at ONEOK Field.
The loss marked the Drillers third straight, bringing Tulsa’s home record to 5-14. It is the fourth time the Drillers have dropped three consecutive games this season.
The Wind Surge took an initial 4-0 lead in the second inning. Jake Rucker drove in the first two runs on a double that grazed off the glove of left fielder Brendon Davis. Two batters later, Emmanuel Rodriguez hit a two-run homer into the right field berm.
Wichita starting pitcher Jaylen Nowlin held the Drillers hitless until the fourth inning when Tulsa rallied to take the lead. Dalton Rushing began the inning by reaching base after being hit by a pitch, and Davis blasted a two-run homer for Tulsa’s first hit of the game. Austin Beck followed with a grand slam to give Tulsa a 6-4 lead.
After giving up four runs in the second, Tulsa starting pitcher Yon Castro settled in to deliver his longest outing of the season, completing four innings and striking out four.
Two miscues helped put the Wind Surge back on top in the sixth inning. Rucker struck again to drive in Wichita’s fifth run. The next two runs scored on a throwing error by Taylor Young and a wild pitch, handing the Wind Surge a 7-6 lead.
A two-RBI double and RBI single in the seventh inning increased the lead to 10-6.
Tulsa rallied for two final runs in the eighth inning on a single from Yeiner Fernandez and a passed ball.
INSIDE THE GAME
*Walks were an issue for both teams as the two staffs combined for 19 walks.
*Beck’s grand slam was his second four-run blast of the season. He is the only Tulsa hitter with a grand slam.
*Lefty Christian Suarez was charged with the loss, dropping his record to 0-1.
*Tulsa earned only one hit after the big fourth inning.
*Young matched his career high by stealing three bases. The three stolen bases put Young third in the Texas League with 13 steals on the season. He also drew four walks.
*Fernandez’s hit increased his on-base streak to 23 straight games. The streak is tied for the longest active streak in the Texas League.
*Pitcher Jeisson Cabrera was activated by the just before game time and made his Double-A debut, allowing one unearned run with two strikeouts in one inning of work.
*Cabrera filled the spot held by pitcher Hyun-il Choi who was transferred back to Oklahoma City. Cabrera had remained at the Dodgers Arizona Complex for all of this season.
UP NEXT:
The Drillers will continue their series with the Wind Surge on Friday night at ONEOK Field with game four. Starting time is slated for 7:00 p.m. and the starting pitchers are expected to be:
WCH – RHP Marco Raya (0-0, 3.38 ERA)
TUL – TBA