Arkansas Pitching Takes Down Drillers

Despite holding the Arkansas Travelers to just two earned runs on Sunday, the Tulsa Drillers were unable to avoid a second straight series loss to their North Division rivals thanks to a dominant performance by starting pitcher Manny Correa.

The right-hander held Tulsa to just three hits over seven innings to lead the Travelers to a 4-0 victory over the Drillers at ONEOK Field.

Correa has been outstanding in two starts against Tulsa this season. The veteran hurler has allowed just two runs (one earned) on nine hits in 13 innings against the Drillers to record his only two wins of the year.

The Travelers shutout ruined a solid performance by Drillers starter Tim Gustafson. After having a rough April, the Georgia Tech prospect allowed just two unearned runs in six innings of work, while striking out three and walking two for his second straight quality start.

With that, Gustafson has only himself to blame for Arkansas' two-run third inning.

With runners on first and second and one out in the third, CJ Cron hit what looked to be a double play ball back to Gustafson who wheeled and threw to second. But his throw was offline. Shortstop Cristhian Adames was unable to corral the low toss, which allowed all runners to reach safely and fill the bases for Robbie Widlansky.

The designated hitter promptly delivered Drew Heid from third on a sacrifice fly for the game's first run. Saturday night's hero Randal Grichuk then followed with an RBI single to center to put the Travelers up two after three.

The score remain the same until Grichuk added to an already impressive series with a solo home run in the eighth to give Arkansas a three-run lead. It was the right fielder's fourth big fly of the series and sixth of the season.

Arkansas would add another run in the ninth to bring the final to 4-0.

Angelys Nina recorded two of Tulsa's four hits Sunday, going 2-3 with a walk. Nina had a very impressive series against the Travelers, going 9-15 with two home runs, two doubles, and four RBI.

Tulsa drops to 16-19 on the season with the loss, while Arkansas improves to 18-17.

The Drillers return to ONEOK Field Monday at 7:05 p.m. to open a four-game series with the Springfield Cardinals. Tulsa's Tyler Matzek (1-2, 3.19 ERA) will toe the rubber against Boone Whiting (3-2, 2.93 ERA) in a rematch of last Tuesday's pitchers dual in southwest Missouri.