Drillers close out first half with win
Published on June 17, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
June 17, 2008 - Third baseman Tony Blanco made sure that the Tulsa Drillers ended the first half on a winning note Tuesday night. Blanco had four hits, including two home runs, and five runs batted in as the Drillers defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 10-5 at Arvest Ballpark.
The victory allowed Tulsa to finish the first half with a 29-41 record.
Blanco's big night started early as he got the Drillers off to a quick start with an RBI double in the top of the first inning.
The Naturals tied the game with a run in the bottom of the first, but Blanco's second run-producing double of the game in the top of the third put Tulsa in front to stay.
Daniel Carte and Eduardo Cornejo began the fourth with consecutive singles. Carte eventually scored on a base hit by Brian Esposito, while Cornejo came home on a sacrifice fly by Dexter Fowler to give the Drillers a 4-1 lead.
Blanco struck again in the fifth inning, leading off with his 11th home run of the season. After the homer, Jeff Kindel and Carte singled and Cornejo walked to load the bases. Jeff Dragicevich brought everyone home with a bases-clearing triple that increased the lead to 8-1.
After Irving Falu homered with one out in the bottom of the fifth to cut the margin to 8-2, Blanco capped his big night with a two-run home run in the eighth inning. It was his 12th homer of the season.
The two-run shot gave Blanco five runs batted in, the third time this season he has reached the five RBI mark in a game. On the season, he has 40 RBIs in 43 games with Tulsa.
Fowler had only one hit in the game, but his first-inning single extended his hitting streak to 11 straight games, matching Matt Miller's team high 11-game streak from earlier this year. The Tulsa centerfielder, who was named the Texas League's Hitter of the Week yesterday, is now 22-47 (.468) during his streak.
Starting pitcher Chaz Roe picked up his first Double-A win with a solid, seven-inning outing. He allowed only five hits and two runs. He walked three and struck out four.
Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas will open the second half of the season Wednesday night. Alan Johnson (3-6, 4.91 ERA), who started the opening game of the year, will also open the second half for the Drillers. Daniel Cortes (2-3, 3.95 ERA) will make the start for the Naturals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00PM in Springdale.
Texas League Stories from June 17, 2008
- Travs Win, Travs Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards fall to Travs - Springfield Cardinals
- Hooks close out first half with loss - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Tulsa Blasts NW Arkansas Again - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers close out first half with win - Tulsa Drillers
- Dusty Hughes Promoted to Omaha - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks to Honor 1958 Corpus Christi Giants - Corpus Christi Hooks
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