Drillers Snap Skid on Sardinha Walkoff in Extras

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- After Tulsa scored five runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings to force extras, Bronson Sardinha homered in the second at-bat of the 13th inning to top the Travelers 6-5 and avoid a three-game losing streak Friday.

Trailing 5-0 in the bottom of the seventh with runners on first and second, Brian Rike knocked a double to center field to bring Sardinha home and score Tulsa's (32-33) first run of the game. Erik Wetzel singled to left field to bring James Cesario home and cut the deficit to three runs.

After a pitching change, Tim Wheeler grounded into a double play, allowing Brian Rike to score and cut the Travelers' (32-30) advantage to two runs.

With no outs and runners on first and third in the bottom of the eighth, Scott Beerer grounded into a six-four-three double-play, but allowed Ben Paulsen to score and make it just a one-run deficit for the Drillers. A Thomas Field RBI single in the bottom of the ninth tied the game and forced extras.

After going scoreless in the 10th, 11th and 12th innings, Sardinha turned on the third pitch he saw and sent it over the right field wall to win the game for Tulsa.

Daniel Turpin (2-2) was credited with a win for Tulsa after not allowing a hit in the 11th and 12th innings. Loek Van Mil (1-2) received a loss for his outing, giving up just two hits and one earned run, the Sardinha walkoff bomb.

The Drillers are back in action Saturday in a doubleheader to make up for Thursday's rainout, starting at 5:05 p.m.