Drillers Drop Arkansas In Series Finale

After having their win streak snapped a day earlier, the Tulsa Drillers got back to their winning ways Thursday, topping the Arkansas Travelers 5-3 to end the four-game series with a win.

The Travelers (9-11) jumped out to an early lead, thanks to a two-run home run from Casey Haerther – his third long ball of the year – to take a two run advantage. However, the Drillers (14-6) responded quickly, thanks to a ground out from Angelys Nina and a double from Nolan Arenado in the bottom of the third to tie the game.

Tulsa moved to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to playing small ball and a few Arkansas miscues.

Lars Davis was hit by a pitch in the first at-bat, advanced to second on a fielding error and took third with just one out on the board thanks to a single to right field from Michael Mitchell. Arenado followed with a sacrifice fly to score Davis and put Josh Rutledge on third, and Rutledge stole home in the next at-bat.

Darwin Perez tried to bring the Travelers back into the game with a solo shot in the top of the sixth, cutting the lead to 4-3, but Kiel Roling scored off of a Angelys Nina single in the bottom of the eighth to put enough room between the two teams.

Nick Schmidt (1-0) picked up his first win of the season, giving up three earned runs on six hits, while striking out six in his five innings of service. Orangel Arenas (1-2) picked up a loss, despite allowing just one earned run in six innings.

The Drillers will be back in action at 7:05 p.m. Friday against Springfield, the first of a four-game series against the Cardinals.