Drillers Pick Up Ninth Straight, Tie Northwest Arkansas

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – That didn't take long.

Just a couple of weeks after the playoffs seemed like an unrealistic goal for the Drillers, they have come back to work their way into a tie in the standings.

Tulsa topped Springfield 5-1 at home on Wednesday, finishing out the month of August with nine straight wins and 13 wins in the past 15.

The nine straight wins ties a franchise record that dates back to July of 2001.

Meanwhile, previously-first-place Northwest Arkansas has not been able to keep up with the brutal pace.

Wednesday's victory for the Drillers came thanks in large part to pitcher Rob Scahill.

He threw six no-hit innings, pitching eight innings overall and allowing a single run.

Scahill also drove in the winning run for Tulsa with his fourth RBI of the season.

The Drillers and Northwest Arkansas Naturals are vying for the second playoff spot in the North division with five games remaining.

In case of a tie at the end of the season, the playoff spot goes to the team between the two which has the better head-to-head record.

Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas play each other in the final three games of the year, which will prove crucial to deciding who gets the playoff spot.

Before that anticipated showdown, however, the Drillers must continue their series against Springfield.

Tulsa will look for a record-breaking 10th straight win on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at ONEOK Field.