Drillers Lose In 13
Published on August 29, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
August 29, 2008 - The Springfield Cardinals playoff hopes were at stake Friday night in their meeting with the Tulsa Drillers, and they played like it. Twice, including in extra innings, the Cards rallied from deficits to tie the game before scoring a run in the bottom of the 13th inning to defeat the Drillers 6-5.
Because Northwest Arkansas had defeated Arkansas earlier in the evening, the Cardinals had to beat the Drillers or they would have been eliminated from the second-half North Division race.
The Redbirds still face an uphill battle to get to post-season play. The Naturals magic number is only one, with either a win by Northwest Arkansas or a loss by Springfield in the season's final three games, clinching the second-half crown.
In Friday's meeting, Tulsa and Springfield played what must have looked like a playoff game to the fans at Hammons Field. Neither team committed an error and battled to a 3-3 tie for over three hours before Tulsa broke through to take the lead in the top of the 12th inning.
Justin Nelson led off the 12th with a base hit and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Rick Guarno. After an intentional walk to Eduardo Cornejo, Jeff Kindel flied out for the second out of the inning. Eric Young Jr. delivered a clutch, two-out double that plated both Nelson and Cornejo to give the Drillers the 5-3 lead.
The Cards quickly responded in the bottom of the 12th off Tulsa reliever Jarrett Grube. Matt Pagnozzi led off with a single, and Daryl Jones followed with a double. Consecutive sacrifice fly balls Daniel Delcaso and Casey Rowlett tied the score and sent the game to the 13th inning.
After the Drillers were retired in order in the top of the 13th, Springfield got three straight singles from Andrew Brown, Donovan Solano and James Rapoport to bring home the winning run.
Nearly four hours earlier, the Cardinals had taken an early 2-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run triple by Brandon Yarbrough.
Tulsa tied the game in the top of the fourth. Jeff Dragicevich, who rejoined the Drillers from Triple A earlier in the day, singled, and Justin Nelson followed with this 20th home run of the season to make it 2-2.
The Drillers took the lead in the fifth. Singles by Gary Cates and Eric Young Jr. put runners at the corners. An infield ground out by Dexter Fowler plated Cates to put Tulsa in front 3-2.
Springfield tied the game in the seventh. Brett Wallace was hit by a pitch and eventually scored on a ground out by Rapoport.
Tulsa starting pitcher Chaz Roe was impressive in his final outing of the season. Roe pitched into the ninth inning and allowed three runs on five hits. He walked one batter and struck out four.
The Drillers will begin their final series of the season Saturday afternoon in Northwest Arkansas against the Naturals. Alan Johnson (4-14, 5.27 ERA) will start the opener for Tulsa against Blake Wood (5-7, 5.49 ERA) of the Naturals. First pitch at Arvest Ballpark is scheduled for 1:05PM.
BOXSCORE
Texas League Stories from August 29, 2008
- Drillers Lose In 13 - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Stay Alive with 6-5 Win in 13th - Springfield Cardinals
- Two-Out Runs Sink Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Frisco drops finale to Corpus - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Return Saturday for Final Regular Season Series - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cortes, Kaaihue Named Naturals Pitcher, Player of the Year - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Nicoll placed on DL, Atencio Returns - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Great Seats Available For Travs Playoff Games - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Rally in Eighth to Win - Corpus Christi Hooks
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