Reynolds, Hochevar Shine in Historic Match-Up
Published on June 19, 2007 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
There was a great deal of hype about Tuesday night's second-half opener between the Tulsa Drillers and Wichita Wranglers. It was the first time ever that the No. 1 and 2 picks from the same draft were the starting pitchers in the same minor league game when Wichita's Luke Hochevar and Tulsa's Greg Reynolds squared off. The game lived up to the hype as both starters were outstanding. In the end, rain won.
With the Wranglers coming to bat in the top of the 12th inning in a 1-1 tie, thunderstorms hit Drillers Stadium. After a 45-minute delay, umpires suspended the game. It will resume at 12:05PM Wednesday afternoon and be played to its conclusion. Following a 30-minute break, the regularly scheduled, 9-inning game will begin.
For most of Tuesday night's game, it appeared that Tulsa would win a classic pitcher's dual. The Drillers scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. It remained 1-0 until the top of the ninth inning, when with two outs, Mike Stodolka belted a pitch from Drillers' closer Steven Register over the wall in left field to tie the game at 1-1.
Both Hochevar and Reynolds were brilliant in their historic outings. Hochevar, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 June draft by the Kansas City Royals, worked seven innings, surrendering the one unearned run on only five hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out five.
Reynolds, the No. 2 overall pick by the Colorado Rockies in the same draft, was making his first appearance since going on the disabled list on May 15 with a shoulder strain. He pitched five shutout innings, allowing only two hits and one walk. He struck out one hitter.
Reynolds was in line for the win, and Hochevar was set for the tough-luck loss before Stodolka's eighth home run of the year tied the game.
The Drillers first-inning run came when Christian Colonel doubled home Corey Wimberly who had reached on an error by shortstop Irving Falu.
Stodolka nearly provided the tie-breaking run for the Wranglers in the top of the eleventh inning. With two outs and Geraldo Valentin and Chris Lubanski at first and second, Stodolka singled to right. Right fielder Jordan Czarniecki fielded the hit and fired a strike to catcher Rick Guarno who tagged out Valentin for the final out of the inning.
Following the completion of the suspended game, the Drillers and Wranglers will conclude their four-game series. Franklin Morales (0-3, 3.50 ERA) will pitch for Tulsa against Leo Nunez (1-0, 1.20 ERA) for Wichita.
Texas League Stories from June 19, 2007
- Reynolds, Hochevar Shine in Historic Match-Up - Tulsa Drillers
- RoughRiders Fall in Second Half Opener - Frisco RoughRiders
- Travs Start Second Half With 9-5 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards Drop Second Half Opener - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions Blast Three Bombs, Edge Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
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