Tulsa Drillers Win Series Against Minneapolis Wolves

 

Tulsa, OK — April 6, 2024

 

The Tulsa Drillers took 2 of 3 games against the Minneapolis Wolves in a three-game series that showcased the Drillers' superior pitching and timely hitting. Despite the Wolves’ efforts, they fell short in each contest, failing to break through Tulsa’s resilient defense and clutch pitching. Here’s a breakdown of each game.

 

Game 1: Tulsa Drillers 3, Minneapolis Wolves 2

 

The series opener saw the Drillers edge out a tight victory over the Wolves, with a final score of 3-2. The Wolves got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning when Greg Parsons singled and was later driven in by Phil Kane’s double.

 

However, the Drillers responded in the bottom of the second inning with Martin Reid scoring Bob Macpherson and Raul Miranda with a pair of clutch hits to take a 2-1 lead.

 

Minneapolis managed to tie the game in the fifth inning when Felix Roman scored on a sacrifice fly by Zach Morrall. But the Drillers pulled ahead again in the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run by Martin Reid, which proved to be the game-winning run.

 

Drillers' pitcher Ray Brown demonstrated a masterful performance, going seven innings and striking out seven. "I felt really good out there tonight," said Brown. "The guys behind me made some great plays, and it was a total team effort."

 

Key Highlights:

• Winning Pitcher: Ray Brown (1-0) – 7.0 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
• Save: Bill Henry (1) – 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 SO
• Notable Hitter: Martin Reid – 2 AB, 1 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R

 

Inning Summary:

• Top 1st: Greg Parsons scores on Phil Kane's double.
• Bottom 2nd: Bob Macpherson and Martin Reid score on hits by Raul Miranda and Vincent Melendez.
• Bottom 4th: Martin Reid homers.

 

Game 2: Minneapolis Wolves 2, Tulsa Drillers 1

 

The second game of the series was another nail-biter, but this time the Wolves managed to hold on to a narrow 2-1 victory. Greg Parsons set the tone early with a solo home run in the first inning. Despite tying the game with a Martin Reid homer in the fourth inning, the Wolves reclaimed the lead in the sixth inning with an RBI single by Adrian Palmer, which ultimately sealed the game.

 

Ricardo Vega was stellar on the mound for the Wolves, giving up just one run over five innings. "We needed this win badly," Vega said. "I just focused on hitting my spots and trusting my defense."

 

Drillers' pitcher Millard Moore took the loss despite a strong performance, striking out 14 in a complete game effort. "It's tough to lose a game like that," Moore said. "I felt like I had good stuff, but we couldn't get the bats going."

 

Key Highlights:

• Winning Pitcher: Ricardo Vega (1-0) – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
• Save: Kevin Hairston (1) – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
• Notable Hitter: Greg Parsons – 5 AB, 1 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R

 

Inning Summary:

• Top 1st: Greg Parsons homers.
• Bottom 4th: Martin Reid homers.
• Top 6th: Darnell Stokes scores on Adrian Palmer’s RBI single.

 

Game 3: Tulsa Drillers 2, Minneapolis Wolves 0

 

In the series finale, the Drillers shut out the Wolves 2-0 in a defensive battle. Tulsa's pitching staff was stellar, allowing only four hits across nine innings. Manuel Alvarez and the bullpen kept the Wolves' bats quiet, while the Drillers’ offense capitalized on their opportunities. Tulsa scored in the third inning when Vincent Melendez walked, advanced on Michael Nelson’s double, and was driven in by Rico Morales. The insurance run came in the seventh inning as Raul Miranda singled and eventually scored on Michael Nelson’s single.

 

Alvarez was dominant, striking out seven in six innings of work. "I just tried to stay ahead in the count and let my defense do the work," said Alvarez. "This win feels great, especially in front of our home crowd."

 

The Wolves’ Ahni Amador pitched a complete game, giving up just two runs on nine hits, but the lack of offensive support led to his loss. "It’s frustrating to pitch well and not get the win," Amador said. "We’ve got to find a way to get the bats going."

 

Key Highlights:

• Winning Pitcher: Manuel Alvarez (1-0) – 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 SO
• Save: Mike Jones (1) – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
• Notable Hitter: Raul Miranda – 4 AB, 2 H, 1 R

 

Inning Summary:

• Bottom 3rd: Vincent Melendez scores on Rico Morales’s groundout.
• Bottom 7th: Raul Miranda scores on Michael Nelson’s single.

 

Series MVP: Martin Reid

 

Martin Reid's clutch hitting throughout the series, including a crucial home run and multiple RBIs, earned him the Series MVP. His contributions were instrumental in securing the Drillers' victories and highlighted his consistent offensive performance.

 

The Tulsa Drillers demonstrated their prowess with this sweep and look forward to maintaining their momentum in the upcoming games. The Minneapolis Wolves, despite their strong efforts, will need to regroup and focus on improving their offensive strategies as the season progresses.