Late Error Costs Drillers in Playoff Opener
Springdale, AR - The Tulsa Drillers came into Wednesday night's North Division Playoff opener against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals with a lot of momentum, having won five of their last seven games to clinch a playoff berth. But a strong start by Tulsa nemesis Foster Griffin along with a late,
Springdale, AR - The Tulsa Drillers came into Wednesday night's North Division Playoff opener against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals with a lot of momentum, having won five of their last seven games to clinch a playoff berth. But a strong start by Tulsa nemesis
After winning the second half title in the Texas League's North Division over Labor Day Weekend, the Drillers entered the playoffs with an optimistic outlook as the club was performing well in all facets of the game. But facing the NW Arkansas ace southpaw in Griffin, the Drillers were stymied offensively for much of the night.
Griffin entered the game with a 4-0 record over five starts against the Drillers this season, and he picked up where he left off Wednesday night.
The Naturals lefthander did not allow a hit until
But following a mound visit from his pitching coach, Griffin was able to get
Although Griffen was dealing for the Naturals,
Having reached his pitch count following the completion of the sixth inning, White exited the game after scattering four hits over his six innings of work while only walking one batter. At that point,
Things would not go well for Somsen however, as he gave up a leadoff hit to
After Dini moved up to second on the throw home, a critical mistake happened that totally changed the outlook of the game. With one out,
That error would haunt the Drillers as both runs came in to score on a sac fly from Donald Dewees Jr. and an RBI double from Lopez to put NW Arkansas in front 3-0.
The Drillers did get on the board in the eighth as Jackson led off with a double before moving to third and then home on consecutive groundouts by Mieses and
Hill earned his first win of the postseason with his 1.2 innings of relief efforts while Lovelady picked up his first save of the post-season. Somsen took the tough loss for Tulsa.
The Drillers will aim to bounce back in Springdale Thursday night. They will face RHP