9th Inning Error Dooms Drillers
Published on August 4, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
One night after letting a 5-run lead slip away in a loss to Northwest Arkansas, the Tulsa Drillers suffered another heartbreaking loss to the Naturals Wednesday night. With the score tied at 2-2, an error in the bottom of the ninth inning allowed the winning run to score and give the Naturals a 3-2 win. The result dropped the Drillers two games behind first-place Northwest Arkansas in the North Division standings of the Texas League.
The pivotal ninth inning began with a leadoff base hit by Paulo Orlando off Tulsa reliever Rex Brothers. After a sacrifice bunt moved Orlando to second, Anthony Seratelli bounced a grounder to the right of Kindel at first. The ball scooted under Kindel's glove and into shallow right field, allowing Orlando to score the game-deciding run.
The Drillers had missed a chance to take the lead in the top of the ninth as they loaded the bases with two outs, but Matt Repec flied out to end the threat.
Tulsa never led in the game as the Naturals opened the game's scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Derrick Robinson led off with a base hit, and Johnny Giavotella followed with another hit. With one out, and runners at first and third, Tulsa starting pitcher Keith Weiser appeared to have Giavotella picked off first base. Giavotella stayed in a rundown long enough for Robinson to race home with the game's first run, and when Kindel dropped a throw, Giavotella was safe at first.
The Drillers tied the game in the top of the second as Jason Van Kooten doubled and scored all the way from second when Naturals' starting pitcher Mike Montgomery uncorked a wild pitch.
It remained 1-1 until Northwest Arkansas went back in front in the fifth as Chris McConnell led off with a base hit. Giavotella followed with a drive into right centerfield that was just out of the reach of a diving Charlie Blackmon. The ball skipped past Blackmon, allowing McConnell to score while Giavotella ended up with a triple.
Tulsa tied the game again in the seventh. Singles by Van Kooten and Scott Beerer put runners at first and second, and another single by Lars Davis plated Van Kooten with the tying run. The inning may have been bigger, but Beerer was thrown trying to advance to third on the hit by Davis.
Weiser worked the first six innings, allowing six hits and two runs. He walked only one hitter while striking out six.
Bruce Billings was dominant in two shutout, relief innings. He picked up three strikeouts while allowing only one hit.
Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas will play the final game of their three-game series Thursday night in Springdale. Christian Friedrich (2-6, 5.28 ERA) will take the mound for the Drillers against Alex Caldera (3-1, 3.97 ERA). First pitch will be at 7:00PM at Arvest Ballpark.
NOTES: Before the game, the Drillers placed catcher Wilin Rosario on the disabled list and activated catcher Johnny Bowden. Rosario injured his knee in Tuesday's loss to the Naturals. The severity of the injury will not be known until results are received from an MRI that Rosario underwent Wednesday.
Texas League Stories from August 4, 2010
- Hooks Battle Back in Triumph - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Give Brasier Support in 6-1 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- 9th Inning Error Dooms Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Ninth Inning Error Gives Naturals Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cardinals Baffled by Travelers, 6-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Midland Evens Series with 7-2 Win Over 'Riders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Montgomery Activated, Santiago to DL - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- One Bobble & A 500-Pound Gorilla Escapes - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Lose, Rosario Injured - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards' Hill Rips Travs With Two Homers - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals use big flies in comeback - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Chip Missions - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Springfield Blow Out Travs - Springfield Cardinals
- 'Riders snag a win to end skid - Frisco RoughRiders
- Beltre blazing a trail to the majors - Frisco RoughRiders
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