Arkansas Bullpen Shuts Down Drillers' Offense

A night after a big first inning pushed the Tulsa Drillers to a win, it was a strong start from Arkansas that gave the Travelers a 5-3 win over the Drillers Saturday night.

Arkansas scored five runs in the second and third inning to build a 5-2 lead after three innings. That proved to be enough for the Travelers, who got a stellar performance from their bullpen to keep the Drillers in check.

Three relievers combined to allow just one hit and strike out eight Tulsa batters over the last 3.1 innings. Arkansas starter Drew Rucinski picked up the win, giving up five hits and four walks while striking out four in 5.2 innings.

Tulsa starter Carlos Hernandez took the loss, giving up eight hits and five runs in six innings.

The Drillers struck first, scoring on an RBI single from Brian Humphries in the top of the first inning. Arkansas rallied with three runs in the bottom of the second, two of those coming on a home run from Adam Melker.

After an RBI single from Humphries in the top of the third, Arkansas scored two in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single from Matt Long and an RBI double from Anderson De La Rosa.

Humphries drove in the last Tulsa run in the top of the fifth on a sacrifice fly.

The two teams are back in action on Sunday at 6:10 p.m.