Drillers Fall In Springfield, Face Elimination Saturday

The Tulsa Drillers couldn't come up with the big hit Friday night, losing game three of the Division Series 4-2 in Springfield.

Tulsa spent most of the game trailing by just one run, but couldn't string any offense together. They got the leadoff man on base in the fifth and ninth innings, but double-plays erased the threat in both cases.

Springfield struck first Friday night on Oscar Tavares' RBI single in the bottom of the first. Tulsa answered right back in the second when Jose Gonzalez singled home Chris Petit. The Drillers almost pushed across a second run when Warren Schaeffer singled to left field, but Gonzalez was thrown out at home by left fielder Chris Swauger to keep the score 1-1.

Springfield came right back at Tulsa with two more runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-1 lead. The game stayed 3-1 until Kiel Roling led off the fourth inning with a solo homer for Tulsa.

Joe Gardner kept Tulsa in the game with his strong outing, going six innings and allowing the three runs (two earned).

The Drillers will look to keep their 2012 season alive Saturday against the Cardinals at 6:08 p.m. They must win the final two games of the series in order to advance.