Drillers Late Rally Falls Short
TULSA, OK – The Tulsa Drillers were limited to just one run and three hits through the first seven inning Thursday night at ONEOK Field before making things interesting late against the Amarillo Sod Poodles. After getting just their second run of the game in the eighth inning, the Drillers
TULSA, OK – The Tulsa Drillers were limited to just one run and three hits through the first seven inning Thursday night at ONEOK Field before making things interesting late against the Amarillo Sod Poodles. After getting just their second run of the game in the eighth inning, the Drillers scored twice in the bottom of the ninth and had Justin Yurchak at the plated with the bases loaded and two outs. But Yurchak, who already had two hits on the night, was induced into a game-ending pop up by Poodles reliever Junior Garcia, giving Amarillo a 7-4 victory.
The Sod Poodles now lead the six-game series two games to one. Tulsa’s season record dropped to 4-2 with the defeat.
The Drillers took an early lead in the game, scoring a single run in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Michael Busch walked and eventually scored on Yurchak’s first hit.
Tulsa starting pitcher Gus Varland blanked the Poodles through the first two innings before running into trouble in the top of the third when the first four batters reached safely. A walk and a pair of singles tied the game before a two-run double by Dominic Canzone ended Varland’s night.
Tanner Dodson came on from the bullpen and delivered a wild pitch to set up Leandro Cedeno’s run-scoring ground out that gave Amarillo a 4-1 lead.
The Sod Poodles added two more runs in the fifth inning. With two outs, Juan Centeno singled off Zack Plunkett, and Nick Dalesandro followed with his first home run of the season to make it 6-1.
After the first-inning run, Amarillo pitchers made things difficult for the Drillers. Starting pitcher Drey Jameson, who is ranked as the sixth-best prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system, did not allow another run through his five innings of work.
Relievers Kai-Wei Lin and Blake Workman each worked a perfect inning in back of Jameson. Lin struck out two of the three batters he faced, and Jameson struck out the side in the seventh.
Busch and Yurchak combined to plate Tulsa’s second run in the bottom of the eighth. Busch singled with one out and scored on Yurchak’s two-out double.
The Sod Poodles upped their lead to 7-2 in the top of the ninth before the Drillers attempted their rally in the bottom half of the ninth. Ryan Ward led off the inning with his first Double-A home run.
Kody Hoese singled before James Outman walked and Busch singled to load the bases with two outs. Garcia walked Andy Pages to force in another run before Yurchak, who is hitting .320 on the season, popped out into foul territory on the first offering from Garcia to end the game.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:
*Dodson allowed just one hit and no runs in two innings of relief.
*Outman went 0-4 in the game to end his five-game hitting streak.
*Yurchak went 2-4 and is now hitting .462 in the home stand. He has four RBI in the three games.
*Former Drillers outfielder Donovan Casey was promoted to the majors by the Washington Nationals on Friday. He did not play in the Nationals 9-4 loss to the Pirates.
*The Drillers wore special green jerseys for Thursday’s game in recognition of Go Green Night.
UP NEXT:
The Drillers and Sod Poodles will meet again Friday night in game four of their six-game series. It will be Jackie Robinson Day throughout professional baseball, and all the Drillers will wear special #42 jerseys in honor of the baseball legend.
First pitch at ONEOK Field on Friday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The pitching matchup will be:
Amarillo – RHP Slade Cecconi (0-0, 2.25 ERA)
Tulsa – RHP Clayton Beeter (0-0, 3.38 ERA)