Drillers Drop Opener In 11 Innings
Published on April 4, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Last year's season opening game for the Tulsa Drillers was snowed out at Drillers Stadium. This year, at Corpus Christi's Whataburger Field, the weather Thursday night in south Texas was much different for the 2008 opener as the temperature at game time was 81 degrees. And for awhile, it appeared neither team wanted the warm spring night to end as both clubs blew ninth-inning leads before the Hooks scored in the bottom of the eleventh inning on a RBI double by Eli Iorg to claim an 8-7 victory.
The loss spoiled an impressive Drillers debut for Daniel Carte. The Tulsa right fielder hit a pair of homers, including a solo shot in the second inning on the first pitch he saw as a Double A hitter. Later, his two-run homer broke a 5-5 tie in the top of the ninth inning and appeared to give the Drillers a win.
But the Hooks rallied off Pedro Strop in the bottom of the ninth. The first two hitters of the inning reached on a hit by pitch and a single before Rob Crosby doubled them both home to send the game into extra innings.
In the bottom of the eleventh, Mitch Einertson drew a one-out walk and then scored the game winner on Iorg's two-out double.
Carte's homer in the second opened the game's scoring. Justin Nelson made it back-to-back homers and increased the lead to 2-0.
The Hooks cut the lead in half with a run in the bottom of the second, then took the lead with a two-run fourth inning. A two-run single by Drew Sutton in the sixth increased the lead to 5-2.
Tulsa rallied with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth inning. With two outs and runners at second and third, Dexter Fowler delivered with a single to center field that pulled the Drillers to within 5-4.
They tied the game in the ninth as Chris Nelson and Matt Miller began the frame with consecutive singles. Nelson scored on a passed ball before Carte's second homer gave the Drillers a short-lived lead.
Tulsa starting pitcher Alan Johnson's Double A scoreless streak ended at 14 2/3 innings with the Hooks run in the second. Johnson allowed 7 hits and 5 runs (4 ER) in 5 1/3 innings. Matt Daley worked 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings, and Casey Weathers pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Drillers.
Jarrett Grube suffered the loss. He gave up only one hit, but he walked four hitters in 1 2/3 innings of work.
Tulsa's offense collected 12 hits, including three from Carte. Nelson, Miller and Jeff Dragicevich added two hits each.
Defensively, the Drillers committed four errors.
The two teams will continue their three-game series Friday night as Brandon Hynick takes the mound for Tulsa. Hyncik was 16-5 with a 2.52 ERA for Class A Modesto last year. The Hooks will counter with Brian Bogusevic.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM in Corpus Christi.
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