Bowden Completes Amazing Comeback
Published on April 30, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The promotion at Drillers Stadium Thursday night was Clunker Car Night, but the game the fans saw was anything but a clunker. The Drillers staged a remarkable nine-run comeback over the final three innings that was capped by a three-run, walk-off home run from Johnny Bowden that gave Tulsa an improbable 9-8 win over Arkansas. It was Bowden's first career Double A hit.
Trailing 8-0 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Drillers seemed headed to their third straight loss. But, they showed a little life when Darin Holcomb singled home Chris Nelson, who had doubled, for their first run.
Comeback hopes were lifted further with a three-run eighth. After the first two hitters of the inning were retired, the Drillers caught a break when Rex Rundgren reached on an error by first baseman Mark Trumbo to prolong the inning. After Anthony Jackson singled, Chris Nelson hit his fourth home run of the year to pull Tulsa to within 8-4.
The memorable ninth inning began with an error by shortstop Nate Sutton that allowed Holcomb to reach safely. Ryan Harvey hit a towering home run far over the net in left field to trim the Arkansas lead to only two runs.
Michael Paulk kept the rally going with an infield single. Arkansas manager Bobby Magallanes summoned closer David Herndon from the bullpen for his third straight appearance. Herndon had saved Tuesday and Wednesday's victories for the Travs, but he was greeted with another base hit by Cole Garner.
That set the stage for Bowden's game-deciding blow. After taking a first-pitch ball from Herndon, Bowden belted the next pitch over the wall in right-center field to complete one of the most amazing comebacks in franchise history.
Most of the Traveler's 8-0 lead came courtesy of a seven-run fifth inning.
Starting pitchers Chaz Roe and Trevor Bell had dual shutouts going through the first four innings before Roe ran into trouble in the fifth.
Shane Lindsay (2-0) picked up the win for Tulsa with a perfect ninth inning. The loss for Herndon evened his record at 1-1.
Tulsa will begin a four-game series against Springfield Friday night at Drillers Stadium. Jhoulys Chacin (1-3, 4.87 ERA) will pitch the opener for the Drillers against Trey Hearne (1-0, 3.38 ERA) of the Cardinals. Starting time is set for 7:05PM.
NOTES: The St. Louis Cardinals promoted Owasso native Peter Kozma to Springfield on Thursday. Kozma, a shortstop who was the number one draft pick of the Cards in 2007, is expected to make his Double A debut Friday night against the Drillers. . . .Bell extended his scoreless streak to 20 innings before allowing the seventh inning run to the Drillers. . . .Tulsa was held to only one hit through the first seven innings. . . .Nelson, Harvey and Bowden accounted for all nine runs for the Drillers, each finishing with three runs batted in.
Texas League Stories from April 30, 2009
- Bowden Completes Amazing Comeback - Tulsa Drillers
- Bowden Completes Amazing Comeback - Tulsa Drillers
- Springfield salvages last game of series - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cards Avoid Sweep in 6-2 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Owasso Native Kozma To Join Cards In Tulsa Friday - Tulsa Drillers
- Blake Johnson to DL, Cevette activated - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Patchett Leaves For Salt Lake - Arkansas Travelers
- Quick Homestand Kicks off Busy May - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Missions Let One Walk Away - San Antonio Missions
- RHP Rolando Valdez Added to Missions Roster - San Antonio Missions
- Naturals Rally from Eight Down to Beat Cards - Springfield Cardinals
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