Drillers' Blasts Beat Cards
Published on August 9, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers hit three home runs in the first four innings and got another strong outing from a starting pitcher to defeat the Springfield Cardinals 4-2 Sunday evening. The win at Hammons Field allowed the Drillers to stay only two games behind first-place Northwest Arkansas in the North Division standings of the Texas League.
Michael Paulk got Tulsa off to a quick start with a two-out, solo home run in the top of the first inning. It was Paulk's 7th homer of the season and his third in the past four games.
Mike McKenry doubled the Drillers lead to 2-0 in the second inning with a long, home run that completely left Hammons Field. It was McKenry's 11th homer of the year.
Tulsa used the long ball again to extend its lead to 4-0 in the fourth. With two outs and the bases empty, McKenry drew a walk to extend the inning. Ryan Harvey followed with a line drive over the left field wall for his team-leading 17th homer of the season.
Drillers' starting pitcher Chaz Roe blanked the Cards through the first three innings, but he allowed consecutive singles to Tony Cruz and Pete Kozma to open the fourth. With runners a first and third, Mike Folli brought Cruz home with a sacrifice fly to cut the Tulsa lead to 4-1.
It remained that way until the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Kozma drew a walk from Drillers' reliever Edgmer Escalona. Folli followed with a single, and Antonio DeJesus was hit by a pitch to load the bases. After Escalona struck out Aaron Luna, the Drillers called on Matt Reynolds. The lefthander walked James Rapoport to force in a run before striking out Donovan Solano to end the inning.
With closer Andrew Johnston unavailable after working in the previous two games, Reynolds stayed in to work the bottom of the ninth. He retired the inning's first hitter before allowing a single to Steven Hill and a double to Cruz that left runners at second and third. Reynolds recovered to strike out Kozma and then retired Folli on a pop up to end the threat and the game.
For Reynolds, it was the first Double A save of his career.
Roe collected the win to improve his record to 6-2. He surrendered only one run is six innings of work while walking three batters and striking out five.
The Drillers won despite being out-hit 8-6 as the Cardinals stranded 14 base runners.
Cole Garner doubled in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to 13 straight games.
Tulsa is now 3-3 on its road trip that will conclude Monday night with the final game of its four-game series with Springfield. Keith Weiser (7-11, 4.96 ERA) will work the finale for the Drillers against Ryan Kulik (4-8, 5.00 ERA) of the Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10PM at Hammons Field.
Texas League Stories from August 9, 2009
- Traveler Hits Don't Pay Off in 7-3 Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Surge Late, Fall Short - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers Down Cards; Home Stand Wraps on Monday - Springfield Cardinals
- Beavan, 'Riders Hold Off San Antonio - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers' Blasts Beat Cards - Tulsa Drillers
- Torres Named Angels' Pitcher of the Month - Arkansas Travelers
- Texans cheerleaders to visit Whataburger Field - Corpus Christi Hooks
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