Big Inning Propels Drillers
Published on July 24, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
July 24, 2008 - The Tulsa Drillers avoided a sweep at the hands of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals with an 11-6 victory. The win brought the Drillers within two games of the division leading Naturals.
Danial Carte led Tulsa offensively with a 3-4 performance at the plate including a double and 3 runs batted in. All but two Drillers contributed with base hits.
Tulsa starting pitcher Brandon Hynick collected his seventh win on the season. Hynick allowed 6 runs on 9 hits in his 6 2/3 innings of work. Four of the runs came when the outcome of the game was all but decided. Adam Bright and Jarrett Grube allowed only one hit in their 2 1/3 innings of relief work.
The Drillers put the game away early with six runs in the top of the third. Rick Guarno singled on a line drive to center field to start the inning off. After Eric Young Jr. walked, Dexter Fowler lined an RBI single to center field scoring Guarno. Tony Blanco followed with a base hit ground ball to left field, bringing home Young and Fowler.
With a 3-0 lead, the Drillers' bats stayed hot. Carte singled Miller home from second base and Corey Wimberly hit his 13th double of the year plating both Blanco and Carte. Eduardo Cornejo flied out to end the inning but the damage had been done as the Drillers took a 6-0 lead to the bottom of the third.
The Drillers added a run in the fourth on the backs of Fowler's second RBI of the night. Guarno was hit by a pitch to lead the inning of and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Young. Fowler lined a single to center field giving the Drillers a 7-0 lead.
The Naturals scored their first runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jose Duarte doubled on a long fly ball to center field and scored on Ed Lucas' third triple of the season. Lucas scored to cut the Drillers' lead to 7-2 on a sacrifice fly by Kila Kaaihue.
The Drillers answered right back in the top of the fifth inning with two more runs. Carte was hit by a pitch to lead the inning off. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Carte scored on a single by Guarno. Guarno scored on a double by Young who was thrown out at third.
The Drillers carried the 9-2 lead into the sixth inning where they added two more runs.
With two outs in the sixth, Blanco walked and Jeff Kindel singled on a ground ball to right field. Both scored on Carte's 13th double of the season extending the Drillers' lead to 11-2.
The Naturals scored four meaningless runs in the sixth and seventh inning highlighted by Brian McFall's 13th home run of the year, a two-run shot to left field. Lucas also chipped in with a solo home run to left field.
The Drillers return home Friday night to take on the Arkansas Travelers in the first game of a four game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Friday night marks the beginning of a seven game homestand featuring the Travelers and the first place Naturals.
Texas League Stories from July 24, 2008
- Big Inning Propels Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Diaz's Great Start Wasted In 2-1 Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards Finish Home Stand 5-2, after 2-1 Win on Thursday - Springfield Cardinals
- Tulsa Drills Naturals, Avoids Sweep - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Few Reserved Seats Remain for this Friday, Saturday - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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