TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Drillers Bullpen Falters Late

Published on April 19, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


On a night when two former first round draft picks and top pitching prospects Christian Friedrich and Casey Kelly took the mound, it was poetic justice each team's bullpen would decide the game. Tulsa relievers would eventually give up the lead in the bottom of the eighth to the Missions, losing 3-2 on a late sacrifice fly.

The Missions jumped on the board first with a run in each of the first two innings.

Kyle Blanks, who is currently on a rehab assignment from the Padres, lined a double to center with two outs. After a walk he came around to score on a Vincent Balnome single up the middle. Missions Catcher Ali Solis would then led off the bottom of the second with a home run to left.

The home run yet again proved beneficial for the Drillers in the third inning.

Tim Wheeler ripped a fastball off the top of the wall in left field, which was initially called a double. After Drillers manager Duane Espy discussed where the ball had struck the wall with the third base umpire, it was then ruled a home run.

One batter later Ben Paulsen hit his second home run of the year, with the ball just clearing the right field fences.

After allowing runs in each of the first two innings, Friedrich produced a very solid outing. He finished his outing throwing five innings while giving up five hits, two runs, and striking out five.

The Drillers line-up had a tough night on Tuesday. Third baseman Darin Holcomb would be the only Drillers player to register more than one hit, with three singles in four plate appearances.

The middle innings of the game were quiet due to strong outings from each bullpen. With both teams threatening throughout the fifth, sixth, and seventh yet neither team was able to capitalize with runners on base.

Tulsa reliever Dustin Molleken produced what could easily have been his best outing of the year. Molleken pitched two solid innings allowing two hits, while striking out one.

But the Drillers bullpen finally gave way in the eighth inning. Joe Torres was brought in to relieve Molleken but after he walked the first two batters and allowed a sacrifice bunt, moving the runners to second and third, he was replaced by Casey Weathers.

The first batter Weathers faced was Missions pinch-hitter Kyle Phillips. Phillips popped a very shallow sacrifice fly to right, that would guarantee a close play at home. Espy would again come out to argue that the runner was safe at the plate but this time he would be leaving the game, as he would be ejected the home plate umpire.

The Drillers will be back at ONEOK Field Wednesday night when they take on the Springfield Cardinals at 7:05 PM. Cory Riordan (0-1, 11.74) is scheduled to be making his third start of the year, while the Cardinals will be sending Nick Addition (0-0, 3.86) to take the mound.

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Texas League Stories from April 19, 2011


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