Drillers Lose 2-1 In 12 Innings
August 30, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
In a critical three-game series between the Tulsa Drillers and Northwest Arkansas, the Naturals have made a big statement in the first two games. The Naturals claimed their second straight win over the Drillers Sunday afternoon in Springdale with a hard-fought 2-1 victory that took 12 innings to decide.
For the Drillers, their standing has quickly changed over the last four days, with Sunday's loss their fourth straight defeat. They entered Thursday's games in sole possession of first-place with a two-game lead over Northwest Arkansas. Now, after Sunday's loss, Tulsa trails the Naturals by two-games in the standings with only eight games remaining in the regular season.
The Naturals rally in the 12th inning of Sunday's game began with a one-out double by Jeff Bianchi off Tulsa reliever Shane Lindsay. After Ed Lucas walked, Lindsay retired David Lough on an infield fly for the second out.
Tulsa Manager Ron Gideon then summoned closer Andrew Johnston from the bullpen to face Corey Smith. The big first baseman ended the contest by lining a 2-2 pitch from Johnston into centerfield, scoring Bianchi with the game-winning run.
The defeat overshadowed a strong outing from Drillers' starting pitcher Chaz Roe. The right-hander allowed only four hits and one run in 7 1/3 innings. He walked one hitter while striking out seven.
The Naturals lone run against Roe scored in the bottom of the fourth as Bianchi singled and scored on a triple by Lough. It would be the last hit that Roe would surrender until Cody Clark singled with one-out in the seventh.
Matt Reynolds relieved and did not allow a base runner in two perfect innings of work.
For most of the game, it looked like the Naturals one run would decide the game, but the Drillers rallied to tie the score in the top of the eighth. Rex Rundgren led off the inning by reaching on an error by Bianchi, before moving to second on a base hit by Michael Paulk. A sacrifice bunt by Darin Holcomb moved the runners to second and third.
Following a walk to Jeff Kindel that loaded the bases, Ryan Harvey struck out for the second out of the inning. Juan Abreu then walked Daniel Mayora to force Rundgren home with the tying run. The Drillers could not capitalize further as Brad Corley struck out to end the threat.
There was a scary moment in the top of the ninth as Tulsa catcher Dayton Buller was hit in the batting helmet with a 92 m.p.h. fast ball from Abreu. After attention from trainer Austin O'Shea, Buller remained in the game.
The Drillers had a chance to take the lead in the top of the 12th when Holcomb led off with a double. He moved to third on a ground out by Kindel, but he was left stranded there as Daniel Carte and Mayora grounded out to end the inning.
Tulsa now must win Monday's series finale to avoid a three-game sweep and to avoid falling three games behind Northwest Arkansas. Andy Graham (3-4, 4.48 ERA) will make the start for the Drillers against Federico Constaneda (0-2, 3.10 ERA) of the Naturals with first pitch scheduled for 7:05PM at Arvest Ballpark.
Texas League Stories from August 30, 2009
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