One-Run Loss Ends Drillers Win Streak
TULSA, OK – On Sunday afternoon at ONEOK Field, the Tulsa Drillers were attempting to do something they had never done. Tulsa had won the first five games in its series with San Antonio and was looking to sweep a six-game set for the first time since Minor League Baseball
TULSA, OK – On Sunday afternoon at ONEOK Field, the Tulsa Drillers were attempting to do something they had never done. Tulsa had won the first five games in its series with San Antonio and was looking to sweep a six-game set for the first time since Minor League Baseball switched its schedule formats in 2021 to primarily consist of six-game series.
The Drillers were unable to record the historic sweep as the Missions overturned an early Tulsa lead with a five-run fourth inning and held it the rest of the way in sending the Drillers to a 5-4 loss.
It was the first defeat for Tulsa in over a week and ended its season high six-game winning streak.
Eddys Leonard got the game started positively for the Drillers, hitting his second home run of the season in the second inning to give Tulsa a 1-0 lead.
The game’s outcome was determined in the fourth inning when San Antonio sent 11 batters to the plate. Tulsa starting pitcher Kyle Hurt, who had yet to allow an earned run this season, cruised through the first three innings before running into trouble in that pivotal fourth.
After retiring the leadoff batter, Hurt surrendered consecutive singles. Luis Aviles Jr. followed with a three-run homer that put the Missions in front and ended Hurt’s afternoon.
Jack Little came on and set down the first batter he faced before four straight reached base safely on two hits and two walks, producing the fourth run. Alec Gamboa took over for Little and walked the first batter he faced to force in the fifth run of the inning, giving the Missions a 5-1 lead. After the walk, Gamboa got Daniel Johnson to foul out to finally end the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, another solo homer, this one from Jose Ramos, accounted for Tulsa’s second run.
The Drillers made things interesting with two more runs in the sixth that trimmed the deficit to just 5-4. Andy Pages doubled home the first run, and Kody Hoese plated the second one with a sacrifice fly.
They were unable to get any closer as San Antonio relievers allowed just one hit over the game’s final three innings.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:
*Despite surrendering the three earned runs, Hurt’s ERA for the season now stands at just 1.69. He picked up five more strikeouts in the game and has 26 this season in only 16.0 innings.
*Tulsa batters have now homered in seven straight games. The two homers on Sunday upped the team total for the season to 35, tied for second-most in Double A with Springfield.
*Tulsa batters have now homered in six straight games.
*Leonard finished with two hits in the game and was 10-20 (.500) in the series. The streak raised his season average 82 points.
*Gamboa did not allow a hit in 2.1 relief innings.
*Tanner Dodson, Ryan Sublette and Trevor Bettencourt each worked a scoreless inning to close out the game. All three have season ERAs under 2.00.
UP NEXT:
The Drillers will have Monday off before starting the second half of their long home stand on Tuesday night. Tulsa will host Springfield in a six-game series that will run for six consecutive days, through Sunday. The pitching matchup for Tuesday’s opener is expected to be:
Springfield – TBA
Tulsa – RHP Nick Nastrini (0-1, 2.25 ERA)