Drillers Fall In Ninth
Published on April 29, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Arkansas outfielder Peter Bourjos is considered the top position player prospect in the Los Angeles Angels minor league system, but he was hitless in his first 12 at-bats in the Travelers current series with the Tulsa Drillers. As far as the Drillers were concerned, the 22-year-old Bourjos picked a bad time to break out of his mini slump. His two-out, two-run triple in the top of ninth inning broke a tie and gave the Travs a 7-5 win over the Drillers.
With the score tied at 5-5, the Arkansas ninth began auspiciously when leadoff hitter Wil Ortiz reached on a throwing error by shortstop Chris Nelson. Tulsa reliever Andrew Johnston recovered to retire the next two hitters, but Gary Patchett kept the inning going with a base hit that put runners at first and second. Bourjos followed with his three-base hit to give the Travelers the lead.
Reliever David Herndon made sure the lead held by setting the Drillers down in order in the bottom of the ninth for his second save in as many nights.
The Travelers never trailed in the game after opening the scoring with three runs in the second. Tulsa starter Esmil Rogers retired the inning's leadoff hitter before surrendering an opposite-field double to Hank Conger. After Ortiz walked, Ben Johnson belted his first home run of the season into the net in left-center field to give the Travs a lead they would not relinquish.
The Drillers closed the lead with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the second. After three walks loaded the bases with one out, Michael Paulk drove in Tulsa's first run with an infield single off reliever Marco Albano. Albano took over for starter Michael Anton who was forced out after only 1 1/3 innings with a blister.
Rex Rungren followed Paulk and plated the second run with an RBI ground out.
Arkansas restored its initial three-run lead with a pair of runs in the sixth. Nate Sutton singled and scored on a two-base hit from Mark Trumbo. Hank Conger put the Travs in front 5-2 with a base hit to right that scored Trumbo.
The Drillers tied the game in the eighth against reliever Brian Brasier. Cole Garner led off with a triple high off the center field wall. Nelson then drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Jeff Kindel belted Brasier's first pitch over the wall in left-center field for his second home run of the season, tying the game at 5-5.
Tulsa was held to only five hits in the game by five different Arkansas pitchers. The Drillers are hitting only .223 after three games of their four-game series with the Travs.
The Drillers and Travelers will conclude their series Thursday night. Chaz Roe (1-0, 1.29 ERA) will pitch for Tulsa against Trevor Bell (2-0, 1.59 ERA) of Arkansas. Scheduled starting time is 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from April 29, 2009
- Naturals trump Cards, win 9-8 in extras - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Fall In Ninth - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Win 7-5 On Bourjos Triple - Arkansas Travelers
- The RoughRiders shut out San Antonio 6-0 behind a ninth-inning grand slam by Adam Fox - Frisco RoughRiders
- Don't Call It A Comeback - San Antonio Missions
- Statia Placed On DL, Nieves Joins Travs - Arkansas Travelers
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