Drillers Survive Travelers, 2-1

Starting pitcher Trevor Oaks made a memorable Double-A debut for the Tulsa Drillers Wednesday afternoon. In his first appearance since being promoted from Rancho Cucamonga, Oaks worked six strong innings, limiting the Arkansas Travelers to only one run on six hits, and helping the Drillers to a 2-1 win at ONEOK Field.

Oaks, a 7th-round draft pick in 2014 out of California Baptist University, turned in an efficient performance in picking up the win. The right-hander did not walk a batter while striking out four. He threw 89 total pitches, 57 for strikes.

The Drillers gave Oaks a lead to work with by scoring the game's first run in the bottom of the third inning. Tyler Ogle drew a leadoff walk from Alex Blackford. He was still at first base with two outs when Blackford threw a wild pitch that allowed Ogle to move into scoring position. Brandon Trinkwon brought him home with a ground ball single to right field to give the Drillers a 1-0 lead. 

Tulsa doubled its lead in the fourth inning when Jacob Scavuzzo hit a towering home run into the Budweiser Terrace beyond the left field fence. It was Scavuzzo's second homer of the season and increased the lead to 2-0.

The only run against Oaks came in the top of the fifth. With one out, Bo Way doubled and eventually scored on a two-out hit from Sherman Johnson to make it a one-run game.

Grant Dayton did not allow a hit in two scoreless innings in relief of Oaks.

Rob Rogers survived a two-out scare in the top of the ninth to record his first save of the season. After retiring the first two batters of the inning, Rogers surrendered a single to Wade Wass. Stephen McGee drew a walk to move the potential game-tying run into scoring position, but Rogers induced a fielder's choice ground out from Way to end the game.

The victory for the Drillers was their third in their past four games.

The two teams will wrap up their four-game series Thursday night at ONEOK Field. Scott Barlow (0-2, 2.87 ERA) will pitch for the Drillers against Blayne Weller (0-3, 4.02 ERA) of the Travelers. Starting time for the finale is scheduled for 7:05PM.