Drillers Begin Homestand With Win
Published on April 27, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers returned home Monday night after being swept in a four-game road series in Springfield. The change in scenery seemed to be just what the Drillers needed. They overcame an early three-run deficit and posted a 5-3 win over the Arkansas Travelers at Drillers Stadium.
The comeback was possible thanks to a strong effort from the Tulsa bullpen. Three relievers combined to issue only one hit in 4 1/3 innings of work.
The Drillers fell behind early after a three-run second inning from the Travelers against starting pitcher Samuel Deduno. The Travs used four singles, a walk and an error to produce the big inning.
Tulsa got a run back in the bottom of the third as Mike McKenry tripled off the top of the right field wall to lead off the inning, then scored on a sacrifice fly from Cole Garner.
The Drillers tied the game in the fourth as McKenry again led off with a base hit, singling into left. Garner followed with a double down the line in left, putting runners at second and third. Daniel Carte brought both runners home with another double, tying the game at 3-3.
It stayed tied until the bottom of the seventh when the Drillers staged a two-out rally with the help of a costly error from the Travelers. With the bases empty, Jeff Kindel kept the inning alive by drawing a walk.
Darin Holcomb hit a drive into deep left field. The ball appeared headed into the net above the left field wall, but the strong north wind blowing in from left kept the ball in play. Leftfielder Nate Sutton misplayed the fly for a two-base error that allowed Kindel to race home with the tie-breaking run.
Tulsa added an insurance run in the eighth. Garner reached on an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Carte. Following a base hit by Michael Paulk, Garner scored on a double by Daniel Mayora.
Andy Graham (1-1) was credited with the win for the Drillers. Graham allowed only one hit in 2 1/3 relief innings. He walked two batters and struck out four.
Shane Lindsay pitched a scoreless eighth and was credited with his third hold, and Andrew Johnston worked a perfect ninth to record his third save.
Tulsa out-hit Arkansas 10 to 7. McKenry, Garner and Paulk led the attack with two hits each.
The Drillers will continue their series with the Travelers Tuesday night at 7:05PM. Keith Weiser (1-1, 3.31 ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Tulsa, while Arkansas will counter with Amalio Diaz (0-2, 8.49 ERA).
NOTES: The temperature at the start of the game was 71 degrees. At the end, it had dropped to 53 degrees with a 20 m.ph. wind blowing in from the north that made it feel even colder. . . .The victory improved Tulsa's home record to 5-2.
Texas League Stories from April 27, 2009
- Drillers Begin Homestand With Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Tulsa Comes From Behind To Win Monday - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals win wild affair Monday Night - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Six-Game Win Streak Over as Cards Fall - Springfield Cardinals
- Series Preview: First Place Springfield Visits the âVest - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Naturals in town all week for second homestand - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Naturals offer fans rain insurance policy this homestand - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Mendoza Joins Travs To Start Monday - Arkansas Travelers
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