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TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Drillers' amazing run continues

May 31, 2005 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


Despite watching the Tulsa Drillers stage come-from-behind victories in their final at-bats in their two previous games, it is doubtful that many of the team's fans could have anticipated what they watched Tuesday afternoon at Drillers Stadium.

Through the first seven innings on Tuesday, San Antonio pitcher Bobby Livingston was perfect, not allowing the Drillers a single base-runner, and was holding a 2-0 lead. But in the eighth, Tulsa ended not only Livingston's no-hitter and perfect game, they also exploded for seven runs to record a 7-2 win, making it the third straight game that the Drillers have come-from-behind in their final at-bat to gain a win.

Livingston was brilliant for the Missions through those first seven innings, keeping the Drillers off-balance by changing speeds. The Drillers never really hit a ball hard until that pivotal eighth inning.

Leading off the eighth and with a full count, Sean Barker lined a changeup into left field to ruin Livingston's hopes for a perfect game. Things quickly got worse for the left-hander, as the Missions defense began to let him down.

Corey Slavik followed Barker and hit a soft grounder to Ismael Castro at second. Castro tried to quickly tag Barker as he was running to second, but the ball came loose, allowing both runners to reach safely. Alvin Colina then bunted up the third base line. Third baseman Jesus Guzman's throw was high for another error, and the Drillers had the bases loaded.

Jayson Nix ended the shutout when he lined a single off the wall in left field that scored Barker. The other runners held up on the play and were able to only advance one base, keeping the bases loaded.

San Antonio manager Dave Brundage then called on Renee Cortez, ending Livingston's day. With Dan Conway at the plate, Cortez uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Slavik to race home to tie the game at 2-2. After Conway walked to load the bases, Doug Bernier put the Drillers in front with a sacrifice fly to right field that brought pinch-runner Gustavo Escobar home with the third run of the inning.

After Tony Miller walked to re-load the bases, Jeff Salazar struck out, but Ryan Spilborghs came through with a 2-run double to right field. Barker then recorded his second hit of the inning with a single to center that brought two more runs home and gave the Drillers a 7-2 lead. Tim Rall came on for Cortez and retired Slavik on a popup to finally end the inning.

Bobby Seay, who got the final out in the top of the eighth, worked a 1-2-3 ninth to preserve the 5-run lead and to gain the victory.

Livingston was the hard-luck loser for the Missions despite his seven perfect innings. His performance over-shadowed another strong outing from Tulsa starter Zack Parker. Trying to become the Texas League's first 7-game winner, Parker allowed eight hits and two runs (1 ER) in 7 2/3 innings. He walked only two hitters and struck out six.

Parker's only blemishes came in the fourth and sixth innings and San Antonio shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt was responsible for both. In the fourth, Betancourt led off with a double and scored on a single by Nate Espy. Then in the sixth, Betancourt walked and advanced to second on an errant pickoff throw from Parker. He eventually scored the game's second run on a sacrifice fly by Espy.

The Drillers have now won five of the six games they have played on the current homestand. Tulsa and San Antonio will play game three of their 4-game series Wednesday night. Juan Sandoval (2-3, 4.04) will take the mound for San Antonio, while Christian Parker (4-1, 1.19), the Texas League's ERA leader, will pitch for Tulsa. Game time will be 7:05PM.

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