Drillers Lose but Avoid Being No-Hit
North Little Rock, AR – The Tulsa Drillers did not win Sunday’s series finale at Dickey-Stephens Park with the Arkansas Travelers, but they salvaged a moral victory in the ninth inning. For much of the afternoon, it looked as if the Drillers might be no-hit for the first time since
North Little Rock, AR – The Tulsa Drillers did not win Sunday’s series finale at Dickey-Stephens Park with the Arkansas Travelers, but they salvaged a moral victory in the ninth inning. For much of the afternoon, it looked as if the Drillers might be no-hit for the first time since 2018. The Travelers were within one strike of the no-hitter when newcomer Miguel Vargas belted a two-out, two-run homer. The potential rally ended there as Carlos Rincon grounded out on the next pitch, sending the Drillers to a 3-2 to defeat to the Travelers.
The result gave the Travelers five wins in the six-game series between the two teams. The Drillers scored a total of just 19 runs in the six games, with seven of them coming in Saturday’s game, their lone victory in the set when they rallied with four ninth-inning runs.
As a team, the Drillers hit just .160 in the series (31-194).
Sunday’s finale began inauspiciously for the Arkansas pitching staff as starting pitcher Tyler Herb departed with an apparent physical issue after facing just one batter. The Travs bullpen took over from there as five relievers combined to keep the Drillers without a hit for 8.2 innings.
Arkansas held the lead for most of the game after taking an early lead when Connor Kopach hit a two-run homer in the second inning for the second straight game.
David Masters made it 3-0 with a solo home run leading off the fifth inning.
Prior to the ninth inning, the Drillers had just two base runners. Arkansas reliever Darin Gillies began the ninth by retiring Hunter Feduccia on a line out and Michael Busch on strikes. After Donovan Casey drew a four-pitch walk, Gillies got two quick strikes on Vargas. On the 0-2 count, Gillies thought he had completed the no-hitter but the pitch was ruled just off the outside corner. On the next pitch, Vargas belted a drive over the left field fence for a two-run homer that spoiled the no-hit effort.
The Drillers had rallied for a win on Saturday night with four ninth inning runs, but no such rally was in the cards on Sunday. On the very next pitch, Rincon grounded out to end the game.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
*For Vargas, it was his second homer in the past two games. He just joined the Drillers on Thursday after being promoted from Great Lakes.
*Jaren Kendall walked and stole second base in the eighth inning. For Kendall, it was his 13th stolen base of the season, third most in the Double-A Central.
*Tulsa starting pitcher Andre Jackson worked 4.2 innings and was charged with the three runs on three hits. He had eight strikeouts. Jackson’s record fell to 2-2 with the loss.
*Bryan Brickhouse followed Jackson to the mound and allowed just one hit in two scoreless innings. Mark Washington retired all four batters he faced.
UP NEXT
The Drillers will open a 12-game homestand on Tuesday when the Springfield Cardinals make their first appearance of the season at ONEOK Field.
Springfield at Tulsa on Tuesday, June 22 at 7:05 PM at ONEOK Field.