TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Bases Loaded Walk Top Hosmer's Blast

Published on July 27, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


Eric Hosmer did his best Mike Moustakas impression Tuesday night, but it was not enough to lead Northwest Arkansas to a win over the Tulsa Drillers. Hosmer belted a three-run home run in the eighth inning that turned a two-run deficit into a 6-5 Naturals lead. But it was the Drillers that produced the final heroics, rallying for two runs in the bottom of the ninth for a 7-6 victory in the first game of a crucial three-game series with the first-place Naturals. The win moved Tulsa to within 1/2 game of Northwest Arkansas in the North Division standings.

Hosmer was promoted to the Naturals by the Kansas City Royals when Moustakas, who was leading the Texas League in all three Triple Crown categories, was called up to Triple A on July 14. Promoted from Single A, Hosmer was the Royals first round pick in 2008. His three-run blast in the eighth came off Rex Brothers and landed in Elgin Avenue beyond the right field fence. It was his 6th home run in only 12 games with the Naturals and looked as if it would give them a win.

Tulsa's rally in the ninth began when Warren Schaeffer was hit by pitcher Henry Barrera to lead off the inning. Schaeffer then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Repec. Anthony Jackson followed with a sinking line drive to left field that popped out of the glove of leftfielder Anthony Seratelli. After the error, Charlie Blackmon's single loaded the bases and kept the rally alive. Wilin Rosario followed with a single that brought Schaeffer home with the tying run. Jason Van Kooten popped out, setting the stage for Sardinha, who was called on as a pinch-hitter. Patrick Keating relieved Barrera and issued a five-pitch walk that allowed Jackson to trot home with the game-winning run.

The start of the game was delayed :38 minutes by rain, but the delay had little effect on the Naturals, who started quickly with a run in the top of the first inning on a pair of doubles from Johnny Giavotella and Paulo Orlando.

The Drillers answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first. Anthony Jackson led off with a double and then scored on a base hit by Wilin Rosario. Jason Van Kooten, batting cleanup for only the sixth time this season, followed with his 13th home run. The drive landed in the leftfield terrace and gave the Drillers a 3-1 lead.

They used another long ball to add to their lead in the third as Charlie Blackmon led off with his 7th homer.

Charlie Blackmon watches his third inning homer Tuesday night. The Drillers later rallied for two runs in the bottomo of the ninth for a 7-6 win over Northwest Arkansas. (Rich Crimi)

The Naturals cut into the lead in the fifth on a home run by Anthony Seratelli. The two-run blast was Seratelli's third and trimmed Tulsa's lead to 4-3.

Jeff Kindel doubled in the seventh and scored on a double by Schaeffer that gave Tulsa an insurance run.

The Drillers early offense came against Naturals' starter Edgar Osuna, who entered the game with a 2.66 ERA. It was only the third time in 17 starts that the lefthander had allowed at least four earned runs in a game.

The first three hitters in the Drillers lineup, Jackson, Blackmon and Rosario, all finished with two hits as did Schaeffer.

Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas will square off in game two of their three-game series at 7:05PM Wednesday night at ONEOK Field. Ethan Hollingsworth (0-0, 13.50 ERA) will make his second start for the Drillers. He will face Eduardo Paulino (7-5, 4.26 ERA) of the Naturals.

NOTE: A paid crowd of 7,022 attended the game, giving the Drillers a season total of 300,919 for their first year at ONEOK Field. It is the fastest that a Tulsa professional baseball team has topped 300,000 in a season.

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics

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Texas League Stories from July 27, 2010


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