Clemens Leads Drillers Past Hooks
Published on April 11, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers got a strong performance Saturday night from starting pitcher Brandon Durden and their first home run ever at ONEOK Field from Kenny Perez, but they still fell short in pursuit of their first win of the season. The Corpus Christi Hooks broke a 3-3 by scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the tenth inning and posted a 4-3 win over the Drillers. The victory allowed the Hooks to sweep the season opening three-game series.
Trailing 3-1, the Drillers staged a late rally with single runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to force the extra frame. Their bid for a victory ended when the Hooks scored in the tenth off Alberto Alburquerque.
The pivotal inning began with a leadoff double from German Duran. Following a walk to J.B. Shuck, Wladimir Sutil advanced the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. Alburquerque then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Duran to just slide in safely with the game-deciding run. Hooks' reliever T.J. Burton set the Drillers down in order in the bottom of the tenth to end the game.
The game had begun positively for Tulsa as Perez led off the fourth with a solo home run that broke a scoreless tie. The first ONEOK Field homer for the Drillers landed in the left field terrace and was quickly grabbed by a fan.
The 1-0 lead lasted until the sixth inning when Corpus Christi ended Durden's shutout bid with consecutive doubles by Jimmy VanOstrand and J.B. Shuck.
The Hooks took their first lead with a pair of runs off reliever Stu Pomeranz in the top of the eighth inning. Catcher Lou Santangelo, the first batter Pomeranz faced, broke the tie with a leadoff home run. Pitcher Henry Villar followed with a double. He eventually scored on a base hit by Wladimir Sutil to make it 3-1.
Tulsa cut the deficit to a single run in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Anthony Jackson walked before scoring on a triple off the bat of Jason Van Kooten. At third with only one out, Van Kooten was stranded there as Perez grounded out and Ryan Harvey flied out.
An opposite field, solo home run by Jeff Kindel to lead off the bottom of the ninth tied the game at 3-3, producing the first extra-innings game at ONEOK.
The homer capped a two-hit night for Kindel. Kiel Roling also finished with two hits for the Drillers. The loss wasted a strong outing from Durden. The lefthander allowed only one run and four hits in seven innings of work.
The Drillers will now begin a three-game series with San Antonio Sunday afternoon at ONEOK Field, with pitcher Bruce Billings making his Double A debut on the mound for Tulsa. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05PM.
Texas League Stories from April 11, 2010
- Travs Earn First Win 4-1 Sunday - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards Outlast RockHounds 3-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Osuna Leads Naturals Past Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers Get Their First Win At ONEOK - Tulsa Drillers
- Balanced Attack Downs Hooks - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Series Preview: Naturals Look To Cool Off Hooks - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hounds Wrap Up Sweep Of Travs Saturday - Arkansas Travelers
- Pina, Mertins come up big in win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cards Hammer Frisco, 8-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Hooks Go Extra Mile in Triumph - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Clemens Leads Drillers Past Hooks - Tulsa Drillers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
