Drillers Rattle Off Eighth Straight Win

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – What once seemed like an absurd goal for the Drillers is creeping closer and closer to reality.

Tulsa has been nothing short of amazing in the second half of August, rattling off their eighth straight victory with a 4-3 win against Springfield on Tuesday.

The Drillers have also won 12 of their past 14.

Tulsa started the second half of the month in a very distant second in the standings behind Northwest Arkansas.

But since then, the Drillers have cut the Naturals' lead in the North division to just a single game (it was down to a half game briefly before the Naturals also picked up a Tuesday win).

All of the scoring in Tuesday's game came in the first four innings for both teams.

The Drillers led off with a sac fly from Ben Paulsen and an RBI single from Brian Rike in the first two innings.

But Springfield had a response, scoring three of its own to take a 3-2 lead.

But the ironic game-tying and winning runs came in the fourth inning for Tulsa in impressive fashion.

James Cesario and Rike homered in the first two at-bats of the fourth, not likely knowing that their two homers would be the eventual difference makers.

Joseph Gardner picked up the win pitching for the Drillers, who have six games remaining to make their run at a playoff spot.

The next game takes place at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday when the Drillers continue their series with the Cardinals.