Drillers Clinch First-Half Title After Monday's Rainout

The Tulsa Drillers did not play Monday night, but they still won a championship. The Drillers doubleheader in Springfield was cancelled due to wet conditions at Hammons Field. Because the first half of the Texas League's split season ended on Monday, the first-place Drillers clinched the first-half title in the North Division with the rain out.

Tulsa finished the half with a 34-34 record, one game in front of the Cardinals and either ½ or 1 game in front of Arkansas, depending on the Travelers result Monday night. The Drillers have now guaranteed their spot in the Texas League Playoffs and will host games one and two of the North Division Playoff Series in September.

Tulsa won the first-half crown by being the hottest team in the division over the final weeks of the half, winning 1 of its final 15 games. The Drillers were 4 ½ games out of first place entering play on June 1.

It is the second consecutive year that the Drillers have claimed the first-half crown.

Monday's rain out was actually the result of a system that moved through the Springfield area on Saturday. The system dumped approximately 10 inches of rain in the downtown area and left the field unplayable on both Sunday and Monday. Cardinal officials are hopeful of playing on Tuesday in what will be the opener of the second half.

The two teams will attempt to open their series Tuesday night at Hammons Field. The Drillers are expected to send Christian Bergman (3-5, 3.10 ERA) to the mound for the opener.