Drillers Squander Another Quality Start By Anderson

Tulsa pitcher Tyler Anderson is quietly putting together one of the best seasons in the Texas League this year, but his start Thursday in Arkansas was a microcosm of his entire year. Anderson worked six shutout innings and was in position for a win that would even his season record at .500, but the Travelers rallied against the Tulsa bullpen with the tying run in the eighth and the winning run in the eleventh to send the Drillers to a disappointing 2-1 loss.

The late rally spoiled another outstanding start from Anderson. The lefthander allowed only three hits and one walk in six shutout innings. He also matched a season best with eight strikeouts.

For the season, Anderson lowered his ERA to 2.24, the second-lowest mark in the TL. He has now allowed only 76 hits and 29 walks in 88.1 total innings, while striking out 78. Despite his brilliant efforts, his record remained one game below .500 at 3-4.

The Drillers got a run in the top of the seventh inning that appeared would make a winner out of Anderson. Tyler Massey led off with a base hit and moved to second on a one-out single from Ryan Casteel. Trevor Story struck out before Jayson Langfels delivered the clutch, two-out hit that scored Massey to put Tulsa in front 1-0.

The lead lasted until the eighth inning. After working a scoreless seventh, Ken Roberts ran into trouble when he surrendered a two-out walk to Maikol Gonzalez. Gonzalez moved into scoring position with a controversial steal of second. Umpire Mike Cascioppo originally ruled Gonzalez out before signaling safe. Tulsa manager Kevin Riggs briefly argued the call before heading back to the dugout. He had barely arrived before Alex Yarbrough lined a single into center field the scored Gonzalez with the tying run.

Arkansas threatened in both the ninth and tenth innings before finally pushing across the winning run in the bottom of the eleventh. Adam Melker led off with a base hit against Kraig Sitton, but he was forced at second base on failed sacrifice bunt attempt from Matt Long. The play proved inconsequential as Jett Bandy lined the next pitch into the left field corner, and Long scored all the way from first to cap the walk-off win for the Travs.

The run ended a frustrating night for Drillers' hitters. They were limited to only 5 hits in the contest and struck out a season high 16 times.

Travelers' hitters will likely be happy if they do not see Anderson again this season. He has now allowed only 3 earned runs in 37.2 innings in seven starts against the Travs for a 0.71 ERA. Despite the impressive numbers, Anderson has gotten only one win against the Travelers.

Tulsa and Arkansas will play the second game of their four-game series at 7:10PM Friday night at North Little Rock's Dickey-Stephens Park. Richard Castillo (2-9, 5.21 ERA) will pitch for the Drillers against Orangel Arenas (5-6, 3.71 ERA) of the Travelers.