Drillers Overcome Big Deficit in 12-9 Win
SPRINGDALE, AR – One night after the Tulsa Drillers matched their franchise record for runs scored in a game, they had another big game from the offense on Friday night. The Drillers overcame an early 7-0 deficit as well as 13 walks from their pitchers to earn an unlikely 12-9
SPRINGDALE, AR – One night after the Tulsa Drillers matched their franchise record for runs scored in a game, they had another big game from the offense on Friday night. The Drillers overcame an early 7-0 deficit as well as 13 walks from their pitchers to earn an unlikely 12-9 win over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at Arvest Ballpark.
Brandon Lewis and Abiatal Avelino were the stars of the night as Lewis hit a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning and earned six RBI for the game. Infielder Avelino was called upon to pitch for the second consecutive night and earned his first save in 897 career minor league games.
The night began with the Naturals taking their seven-run lead in the first two innings. CJ Alexander plated the first two runs on a double in the first inning. Two wild pitches added two more runs, giving the Naturals four runs in the first inning. Alexander plated all of the runs in the third with a three-run homer.
Over the next two innings, the Drillers rallied for seven runs on eight hits to tie the game. Tulsa scored five runs in the third, beginning with a solo home run from Buddy Reed.
The Drillers added four more runs with two outs on a two-run RBI double from Lewis, an RBI double from Leonel Valera and an RBI single by Avelino.
Andy Pages completed the comeback in the fourth inning with a two-run homer, his 19th this season.
Tulsa took an 8-7 lead in the fifth inning when a fielding error allowed Valera to score from third base.
Northwest Arkansas regained the lead in the sixth inning, scoring two runs without the benefit of a hit. After two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly put the Naturals up 9-8.
The Drillers completed their second comeback of the game in the eighth inning. After a single and two walks loaded the bases, Lewis hit his go-ahead grand slam to give Tulsa a 12-9 lead.
Short on pitching, manager Scott Hennessey turned to infielder Avelino for the second consecutive night to record the final six outs. Avelino registered his first professional save by giving up just one hit and one walk over the final two frames.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:
*Jordan Leasure was the bright spot for the Drillers pitching staff as he tossed two hitless innings. He has now not allowed an earned run in nine outings over 11.1 innings.
*Catcher Chris Betts threw out two base runners attempting to steal second base.
*The Drillers now have 153 home runs on the season to continue to lead all of Double-A. In addition, the Drillers have hit a home run in seven consecutive games.
*The Drillers have earned 35 hits in the past two games.
*Tulsa has used 14 pitchers in the past two games to earn consecutive wins.
*Prior to the game, the Drillers announced that Jeren Kendall and Carson Taylor have both been placed on the injured list.
Chris Betts was activated from the development list and Wladimir Chalo was added from the Dodgers Arizona complex to fill the roster spots.
UP NEXT: The Drillers will play the fifth game of their six-game series with the Naturals on Saturday night. Starting time at Arvest Ballpark is set for 6:05 p.m. The starting pitchers are likely to be:
Tulsa – RHP Gavin Stone (6-3, 1.40 ERA)
NW Arkansas – RHP Alec Marsh (1-10, 8.01)