Drillers Close Out Series With Victory

The Drillers won an exciting game by a final score of 8-6 in Sunday afternoon's series finale in Little Rock. The victory gave Tulsa their first series win since April 24, which was the last time they were in Little Rock.

The win also put the Drillers alone in first place in the Texas League North and brought their record back to .500.

Drillers pitching had been the dominant factor in the seven prior games in Little Rock this season, having only allowed 8 runs and 24 hits in 7 games.

However, this game was a different story. The Drillers, who had trailed since the first inning, exploded for five runs in the seventh to turn a 4-1 deficit into a 6-4 lead and an eventual 8-6 win. The Drillers' 17 hits were also the most of any game thus far this season, as 8 of the 9 starters had at least one hit.

Arkansas got on the board first with a Kaleb Cowart single that scored Alex Yarbrough, who walked and moved to second on Zach Borenstein's single.

The Travs added another run in the bottom of the second inning. Jeff Bandy led off with a double, moved to third on Andy Workman's sac bunt and scored on a passed ball in the next at-bat.

Tyler Anderson then settled, and was able to pitch the next three innings without allowing a run.

The Drillers made it a one-run game in the fourth when Jared Simon's sac fly scored Harold Riggins, who opened the inning with a double and moved to third on a tag-up.

Five straight Arkansas batters got on base in the bottom of the sixth in the form of four singles and a Ryan Casteel fielding error, putting the Travs up 4-1.

The Drillers responded with a huge top of the seventh. Delta Cleary Jr. and Christhian Adames hit back-to-back singles. Tom Murphythen brought them home on a bases-clearing double, making it a one-run game.

Casteel drew a walk following Murphy's double. Manager Kevin Riggs then brought in Brian Humphries as a pinch-hitter to get a lefty-righty matchup. The move turned out to be brilliant, as Humphries launched a shot to right field for a three-run home run, putting the Drillers up 6-4.

The score remained at 6-4 until the Drillers added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth with three singles, giving the Drillers an 8-4 lead. The insurance runs proved crucial, as the Travs were able to score two in the bottom of the ninth, but could not complete a comeback.

Ryan Arrowood got the win despite giving up two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Kraig Sittin pitched four scoreles outs to set up Scott Oberg forthe save. Oberg als o pitched four outs and was awarded his seventh save on the season, avoiding a scare in the bottom of the ninth.

Six different Drillers had multiple hits on the night, by far the most this season.

Tulsa returns home for a four-game series against the Cardinals beginning Monday night. Richard Castillo will take on Springfield's Kyle Hald. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.