Drillers Fail to Win Despite Ryan’s Five No-Hit Innings
Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa Drillers received a near perfect start from River Ryan on Wednesday night at ONEOK Field, but an early lead disappeared after Ryan’s departure. With Tulsa holding a 2-0 advantage heading into the sixth inning, the bullpen allowed three unanswered runs and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa Drillers received a near perfect start from River Ryan on Wednesday night at ONEOK Field, but an early lead disappeared after Ryan’s departure. With Tulsa holding a 2-0 advantage heading into the sixth inning, the bullpen allowed three unanswered runs and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals rallied to defeat the Drillers 3-2.
There was more bad news for the Drillers in their pursuit of a first-half, division title as the Arkansas Travelers defeated the Wichita Wind Surge 5-1. Tulsa now trails Arkansas by one game in the Texas League North Division with four games left in the first half.
Ryan turned in his best performance of the season for the Drillers, and his teammates gave him a lead when they manufactured the game’s first run in the third inning. With one out, Austin Gauthier and Jorbit Vivas hit back-to-back singles to put runners at first and third base. Jose Ramos scored Gauthier on a sacrifice fly to centerfielder Tyler Tolbert to give Tulsa a 1-0 lead.
For the early part of the game, it appeared that one run was all the Drillers would need, thanks to an impressive start from the Los Angeles Dodgers #13 prospect. Ryan began the game with five hitless innings, allowing just one baserunner on a walk. He used just 52 pitches before departing the game after five innings.
Gauthier and Vivas were involved in scoring the Drillers second run. With two outs in the fifth, Gauthier drew a walk and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Vivas drove in his 32nd run of the season on a double to left center field to give Drillers a 2-0 lead.
The Naturals scored their first run in the sixth on only one hit. Braydon Fisher came on from the bullpen to start the inning, and Jake Reinheimer singled to left on the first pitch he threw. Three wild pitches followed, allowing Rainheimer to cross the plate and make the score 2-1.
Northwest Arkansas quickly took a 3-2 lead in the seventh inning. After the first two batters reached base on a single and a hit by pitch, a balk advanced the runners to second and third. Jake Means plated both them both on a two-RBI single.
Ben Harris and Kevin Gowdy held the Naturals scoreless for the final two innings, but the Drillers offense earned just one hit in the last four innings and could not muster a rally.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:
*In his 13th outing of the season, Ryan’s final line was five hitless innings, issuing one walk with six strikeouts.
*With his one walk in the game, Gauthier has drawn a walk in eight consecutive games and 12 total free passes during that span.
*Vivas increased his on-base streak to 13 straight games with his two hits. He has reached a total of 24 times during that span.
*Each side stranded seven runners on base and were one for seven with runners in scoring position.
UP NEXT:
The Drillers and Naturals will play game three of their six-game series on Thursday night at ONEOK Field. Starting time is set for 7:05 p.m. and the starting pitchers are scheduled to be:
NWA – RHP Chandler Champlain (6-3, 2.74 ERA in High A)
TUL- RHP Nick Frasso (1-2, 1.50 ERA)