Chatwood & Travs Top Drillers 9-2
July 26, 2010 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The last time the Tulsa Drillers saw Arkansas starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood he threw a complete-game three-hit shutout. Unfortunately the right-hander picked up right where he left off Monday night at ONEOK Field as the Travelers defeated the Drillers 9-2. Chatwood threw seven strong innings allowing only two runs off seven hits to pick up his second win against the Drillers in the last 10 days.
Tulsa finished its four-game series against the last-place Travelers with a disappointing 2-2 record. The loss moved the Drillers 1.5 games back of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals who were stagnant in the standings as their game Monday night was rained out. Lars Davis attempts to break up a double play in the Tulsa Drillers meeting with Arkansas Monday night. The Travelers topped the Drillers 9-2. (Rich Crimi)
The Drillers will now focus their attention to a crucial series with the first-place Naturals that begins on Tuesday night. Tulsa may have two different ways to make the Texas League playoffs. The most obvious way for Tulsa to make the postseason would be to win the second-half North Division pennant, but there could be another way if the Drillers can not catch Northwest Arkansas. If the Naturals also win the second-half crown, the North Division team with the second-best overall record would get a post-season spot. Before the start of Monday's game the Drillers were 4.5 games behind the second place Springfield Cardinals.
Tulsa jumped to a early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as Mike Mitchell reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and scored on a base hit by Matt Repec.
The Travelers responded with six unanswered runs over the next four frames.
In the third Tyler Auer hit a ground-rule double and scored on a single by Andrew Romine.
After Jeremy Moore singled in the fourth, Nick Gorneault blasted a two-run home run to deep right field. Ryan Mount followed with a triple and was able to race home thanks to a Tulsa error that pushed the Arkansas lead to 4-1.
The Travelers extended their advantage to 6-1 in the fifth when Jeremy Moore hammered a two-run home run into the Drillers bullpen in right-centerfield.
Efren Navaro singled and scored on a double by Jose Jimenez in the sixth to increase the Travs lead to 7-1.
Tulsa trimmed the Arkansas lead to 7-2 in the bottom of the sixth when Bronson Sardinha hit a ground-rule double, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Lars Davis.
The Travelers' Romine smashed a two-run home run in the seventh for the final runs of the game.
Davis led the Drillers offense with a pair of hits and a run batted in.
The Drillers will begin a three-game series with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Tuesday night. Brandon Durden (4-7, 4.73 ERA) will take the mound for Tulsa against the Naturals' Edgar Osuna (6-2, 2.66 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05PM at ONEOK Field.
Texas League Stories from July 26, 2010
- 'Hounds Win Close One - Midland RockHounds
- Six-Run Seventh Saves Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Chatwood & Travs Top Drillers 9-2 - Tulsa Drillers
- Frisco Blows Big Lead in Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
- Rain Plays Spoiler in Teaford's Gem - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Springfield Rained out in NW Arkansas - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Return Home Tuesday for Seven Games - Arkansas Travelers
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