Drillers Edge Arkansas In Afternoon Matchup

After seeing a five-game win streak snapped Tuesday, the Tulsa Drillers started a new win steak Thursday thanks to an 8-7 win over the Arkansas Travelers.

It was an offensive battle between the two squads, with the Drillers taking a lead early, thanks to a home run from Josh Rutledge in the first at-bat of the game. Again in the top of the fourth with a runner on second, Mike Zuanich doubled down the left field line, bringing Kent Matthes home, pushing the lead to two runs.

Two at-bats later, Jose Gonzalez singled to left field, bringing Mike Zuanich home to take a 3-0 advantage, followed by a double from Angelys Nina to left field to bring Gonzalez home to take a four-run lead.

However, Arkansas responded immediately, hanging five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.

After a leadoff single put Renny Osuna on base, Matt Long double to center to bring Osuna home, two at-bats later Roberto Lopez reached on a fielder's choice to bring Long home to cut the lead to two runs. Three at-bats later, Alberto Rosario was hit by a pitch to bring Lopez home, cutting the lead to just one run, ending the day for Joe Gardner.

However, Cory Riordan didn't fare much better, allowing runs in consecutive at-bats – a sacrifice fly and an RBI single – allowing the Travelers to take a 5-4 lead. Lopez added one to the Travelers' lead in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run.

Mike Zuanich homered for Tulsa to lead off the top of the sixth, cutting the lead back to one run, and Nolan Arenado singled five at-bats later to tie the game 6-6 headed into the late innings of the game.

Tulsa extended its lead in the top of the eighth thanks to a pair of RBI doubles from Jose Gonzalez and Josh Rutledge to take an 8-6 lead.

Coty Woods (2-0) picked up his second win of the season, pitching just one inning, not allowing a hit and striking out two. Matt Oye (1-2) lasted just one-third of an inning, giving up two earned runs on two hits in the loss.

The Drillers will attempt to make it back-to-back wins over the Travelers at 7:05 p.m. Friday, the third in the four-game series.