Drillers Fall, Head Home
Published on April 8, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Less than 24 hours after beating the San Antonio Missions in 12 innings, the Tulsa Drillers were on the other end of a late inning, one-run loss Tuesday afternoon at Wolff Stadium. Trailing 2-1, the Missions rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and defeated the Drillers 4-3. The result left the Drillers with a 2-4 record on the season-opening road trip. They will now enjoy an off day on Wednesday before playing their 2008 home opener at Drillers Stadium Thursday night against the Corpus Christi Hooks.
For much of Tuesday's game, it looked as if Tulsa would win to climb to .500 on the season. Daniel Carte broke a scoreless tie with his third home run of the season in the fourth inning. It was his first home run since hitting two in the first game of the season.
The increased to 2-0 in the sixth when Jeff Kindel doubled, stole third base and scored on a sacrifice fly by Carte.
San Antonio ended starting pitcher Alan Johnson's shutout bid in the bottom of the sixth as Drew Macias led off with his first homer of the year.
It remained 2-1 until the Missions rally in the eighth off reliever Eduardo Valdez. Sean Kazmar walked and advanced to third on a one-out single by Peter Ciofrone. Chad Huffman followed with double off the wall in left that plated Kazmar with the tying run.
With runners at second and third, Marshall McDougall lined to shortstop Jeff Dragicevich for the second out of the inning, but Kyle Blanks delivered the game's big hit with a two-run single to center that gave San Antonio its first lead of the game at 4-2.
The Drillers threatened to again force extra innings in the ninth as Carte led off with a double and then scored on a Dragicevich base hit to make it 4-3. Edwin Moreno ended the attempted rally as he got a force-out grounder from Eric Young Jr. and a game-ending double play from Brian Esposito.
The loss spoiled a strong outing from Johnson. In his second start of the season, the right-hander pitched 6-plus innings, allowing only one run on six hits and one walk.
Carte improved his season average to .364 with a 2-3 day. Dragicevich also added two hits, while Corey Wimberly was 1-3, dropping his Texas League-leading average to .526.
Brandon Hynick (0-1, 14.54 ERA) will pitch the home opener for Tulsa Thursday night. Corpus Christi will counter with Brian Bogusevic (0-0, 2.25 ERA). First pitch at Drillers Stadium is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from April 8, 2008
- Rosa, Naturals Blank Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Midland Sweeps, Cards Hit Road on Thursday - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals Unveil Opening Day Plans - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Fall, Head Home - Tulsa Drillers
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