Drillers Lose, Must Now Sweep Naturals
September 4, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Texas League Playoffs are not scheduled to get underway until next week, but for the Tulsa Drillers they will unofficially begin Saturday night at Drillers Stadium. As a result of their 3-2 loss to Springfield Friday night, the Drillers now know they must sweep their 3-game, season-ending series with Northwest Arkansas to win the second-half North Division title. A loss in any of those final three regular season games will end their playoff chances.
Friday's loss was heartbreaking for the Drillers as the Cardinals scored a run in the bottom of the ninth to break a 2-2 tie.
Springfield's ninth-inning rally began when closer Andrew Johnston hit Pete Kozma with a pitch. With Mike Folli attempting a bunt, a strike from Johnston got by catcher Dayton Buller for a passed ball, allowing Kozma to advance to second.
Folli eventually flied out to shallow center field, but James Rapoport then walked. With runners at first and second, Daryl Jones doubled into left-center field, plating Kozma with the game-winning run.
The game was tied because the Drillers had rallied from a 2-0 deficit with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. Jeff Kindel led off with a base hit, and Buller drew a walk. After Brad Corley popped out on a failed bunt attempt, Danny Sandoval singled home Kindel to cut the Cards' lead in half. Ryan Harvey followed with a sacrifice fly that brought Buller home to tie the game at 2-2.
The Drillers seemed to have caught a break earlier in the day. Lance Lynn, an 11-game winner for Springfield, was the scheduled starter for the Cardinals, but he was promoted to Triple A Friday morning to start a key game for Memphis.
Chuckie Fick got the call on short notice to replace Lynn, and he pitched effectively. Pitching in only his 10th Double A game, Fick blanked the Drillers on only four hits in five innings.
Tulsa starter Chaz Roe surrendered the two runs on eight hits in five innings.
Tommy Baumgardner pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of Roe, and Edgmer Escalona blanked the Cards in 1.2 innings.
Johnston suffered the loss, dropping his record to 2-4.
With Tulsa's move to ONEOK Field next season, there are only three regular season games remaining at Drillers Stadium. In the series opener Saturday night against Northwest Arkansas, Andy Graham (4-4, 4.42 ERA) will take the mound for the Drillers against Everett Teaford (3-7, 5.52 ERA) of the Naturals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from September 4, 2009
- Jones Dooms Drillers - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Lose, Must Now Sweep Naturals - Tulsa Drillers
- Poveda Goes Distance in Series Victory - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Frisco Stays Hot in Home Finale - Frisco RoughRiders
- Whittleman Blast Beats Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
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