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TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Asahina stops Hooks

June 3, 2005 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


Last year, pitcher Jon Asahina suffered through a disappointing season in the Class A California League. Despite the tough season, he gained a spot in the Tulsa Drillers starting rotation this season thanks to a strong showing in spring training. He has taken full advantage of the promotion, and on Friday night he became the first 7-game winner in the Texas League this season as the Drillers defeated the Corpus Christi Hooks 4-2.

In the opener of a 12-game road trip, the first-place Drillers scored four times in the sixth inning on Friday, and Asahina gained his seventh win with six solid innings of work. The right-hander allowed seven hits and two earned runs while issuing only one walk. With Arkansas losing at home to Midland, the Tulsa victory increased the Drillers lead to six games in the Texas League's East Division standings.

Asahina topped Fernando Nieve in a match-up of two of the Texas League's top pitchers on Friday. The Hooks led 1-0 entering the pivotal sixth inning thanks to a solo home run from first baseman Mark Saccomanno in the second inning. It was Saccomanno's first home run at the Double A level.

Jeff Salazar began the sixth with a leadoff double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Doug Bernier. Ryan Spilborghs tied the game at 1-1 with a single to center field to score Salazar. After Sean Barker reached first on catcher's interference, Corey Slavik singled to right to score Spilborghs with the go-ahead run. It was the third time this season that Barker has reached on catcher's interference.

Alvin Colina pushed the Drillers lead to 4-1 with a double to left that scored both Barker and Slavik.

The Hooks responded in the bottom of the sixth when Charlton Jimerson doubled and scored on an RBI groundout from Ray Navarrete to cut the lead to 4-2.

After Asahina struck out pinch-hitter John Fagan to end the sixth, the Drillers bullpen took over. Gerrit Simpson retired one batter in the seventh inning, and Judd Songster retired five straight hitters to send the game into the ninth inning.

P. J. Bevis allowed a two-out single in the ninth to Josh Anderson, but the right-hander retired Eric Riggs on a fly ball to preserve the 4-2 victory for Asahina and the Drillers. It was the 10th save of the season for Bevis.

The Hooks out-hit the Drillers 8-7 in the game. Salazar and Slavik led the Drillers offense with two hits each. Four of Tulsa's hits were doubles.

Nieve suffered the loss for the Hooks, to even his record at 3-3. The right-hander recorded nine strikeouts in only six innings of work.

Tulsa and Corpus Christi will play game two of their 3-game series on Saturday night at Whataburger Field. Zack Parker (6-2, 3.51) is the scheduled starter for the Drillers as he looks to join Asahina with seven victories.

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