Drillers' Offense Disappears In Blowout

Newson6.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Tulsa Drillers' bats finally cooled off Wednesday in a 12-1 drubbing at the hands of the Springfield Cardinals.

The Drillers (45-50) came into the game riding a three-game winning streak and scored a total of 30 runs in two games. But things did not start well, and they only went from bad to worse.

The Cardinals (42-53) started the game with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and Tulsa cut that lead in half with a run in the second inning with an RBI single by Cory Riordan. But that was all the offense the Drillers could muster.

Springfield's offense came alive in the middle of the game, scoring a total of seven runs in the span of three innings to open the lead to 9-1. The Cardinals scored three more runs in the eighth to add insult to injury.

Shane Robinson led the way for the Springfield offense, finishing 5-for-5 out of the leadoff spot and driving in three runs while scoring three more. Charles Cutler also finished with three RBIs after recording two hits and a walk.

The offensive explosion was accompanied by a masterful pitching performance. Shelby Miller (6-1) continued his strong season by allowing one run on just four hits in 5.1 innings of work. His two relievers combined to hold the Drillers scoreless with just two hits in the final frames.

The Tulsa pitchers did not fare so well. Riordan (1-9) continued to struggle, allowing a total of eight hits on 13 hits – four of which were home runs – in only five innings of work. Tulsa eventually was forced to use a total of five pitchers.

Wednesday's contest also marked the second straight game in which Springfield scored in double digits, after a 17-11 loss to Tulsa Tuesday. The teams will conclude their four-game series at 7:07 p.m. Thursday.