Dramatic Win Keeps Tulsa's Playoff Hopes Alive
August 30, 2010 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
With their playoff hopes seemingly disappearing, the Tulsa Drillers staged a dramatic rally Monday night at ONEOK Field. Trailing first-place Northwest Arkansas 5-3, the Drillers rallied with two runs in the bottom of the eighth and one more in the ninth on a clutch two-out hit from Radames Nazario to produce a thrilling, 6-5 walk-off victory.
The win moved Tulsa to within two games of the Naturals with only seven games remaining in the regular season. Almost as importantly, the result gave the Drillers a 6-5 record against Northwest Arkansas in the second-half of the season. The head-to-head record will be the first tie-breaker if the two teams finish in a first-place tie to end the season.
After the Drillers rally in the eighth tied the game at 5-5, reliever Bruce Billings retired the Naturals in order in the top of the ninth, striking out two.
The winning rally began with a lead-off single by Jason Van Kooten against Rowdy Hardy. A sacrifice bunt by Scott Beerer advanced him into scoring position. Hardy intentionally walked Michael Mitchell before Matt Repec made a bid to end the game. Repec hit a wicked liner that appeared headed to right field, but first baseman Eric Hosmer snared the drive for the second out of the inning. Nazario battled Hardy to a 2-2 count before hitting a sharp one-hopper to the left of second baseman Johnny Giavotella. The ball deflected off Giavotella's glove and into right field, allowing Van Kooten to streak home where he was greeted by a delirious group of teammates.
Injured major leaguer Josh Fields, the hero of the Naturals win the previous night, struck again Monday to open the game's scoring in the top of the second. He led off the inning with a double into the left field corner. Fields moved to third on a base hit by Clint Robinson before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Nick Van Stratten.
The Drillers answered in the bottom half of the inning. Beerer drew a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Mitchell. With two outs, Nazario produced his first run-scoring hit of the night to tie the game at 1-1.
Tulsa took its first lead of night in its next at-bat. Anthony Jackson drew a leadoff walk, and Charlie Blackmon followed with a double that put runners at second and third. Jackson scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Jordan Pacheco, while Blackmon came home on a base hit by Beerer to give the Drillers a 3-1 lead.
The Naturals got one of the runs back in the top of the fourth when Giavotella led off with his seventh home run of the year to cut the margin to a single run.
Cory Riordan held Northwest Arkansas to seven hits and three runs in 7.1 innings Monday night as the Drillers rallied for a 6-5 win over the Natuals at ONEOK Field. (Rich Crimi)
It remained 3-2 until Fields struck again in the eighth. With one out, Derrick Robinson singled, and the Drillers called on Rex Brothers to relieve starter Cory Riordan. Brothers surrendered a double to Giavotella before walking Hosmer to load the bases and again set the stage for Fields. On a 2-1 count, the third baseman hit a line drive over first base that just landed in fair territory. Robinson and Giavotella scored on the double, and when Mitchell's throw home rolled against the fence in front of the first base dugout, Hosmer raced home to give the Naturals a 5-3 lead.
The Drillers bounced back with their two-runs in the bottom of the eighth that tied the game. They loaded the bases as Repec and Jackson singled between Nazario being hit by a pitch. With two outs, Naturals reliever Rowdy Hardy put Blackmon in a hole with two quick strikes. On a 0-2 pitch, Blackmon dropped a hit into left field that scored both Repec and Nazario to even the score and set the stage for Tulsa's dramatic ninth inning.
The game-winning hit capped a big night for Nazario. He finished a perfect 2-2 with two runs batted in. He reached base all five times he came to the plate, thanks to a pair of walks and the hit by pitch.
Blackmon finished with three hits, while Jackson and catcher Jordan Pacheco picked up two each.
Billings collected the win to become Tulsa's first 10-game winner this season.
Riordan did not factor into the decision despite a strong outing. He held the Naturals to seven hits and three runs in 7.1 innings.
The Drillers will now begin a four-game series with Springfield Tuesday night at ONEOK Field, in what will be their final home series of the regular season. The Redbirds are currently in a second-place tie with Tulsa. In the series opener, Keith Weiser (9-8, 4.38 ERA) will take the mound against Ryan Kulik (7-3, 3.49 ERA) of the Cardinals. First pitch is slated for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from August 30, 2010
- Dramatic Win Keeps Tulsa's Playoff Hopes Alive - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Fall in Final Road Game - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- 'Riders Come up Short in Series Finale - Frisco RoughRiders
- Springfield Sweeps Arkansas with 3-1 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Rosario Named to Select Squad - Tulsa Drillers
- Arguello, Lyles Texas League All-Stars - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Roughriders and Rangers Extend Partnership - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Return for Final Homestand of the Season - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Lamb Named TL Pitcher of the Week - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Romine, Moore Named TL All Stars - Arkansas Travelers
- Five Naturals Selected as Post-Season All-Stars - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Mike Moustakas is Texas League Player of the Year - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Beavan Named Texas League Pitcher of the Year - Frisco RoughRiders
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