Drillers Lose, Rosario Injured
Published on August 4, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers began an important three game series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals with a disastrous opening game. The Drillers jumped to an early 6-1 lead, but it was not enough as the Naturals responded with nine unanswered runs to post a 10-6 victory. To make things worse, Tulsa starting catcher and Texas League All-Star Wilin Rosario left the game in the seventh inning with an apparent leg injury.
Rosario exited the game in the bottom of the seventh inning after injuring his right knee in a rundown. Rosario ran out to second base to assist in a run down between second and third base when his knee buckled during a throw. The extent of Rosario's injury is not known, but if the catcher misses any time the Drillers will be without one of their best offensive tools. Rosario, who was recently named the Topps Texas League Player of the Month for July, has been one of the hottest hitters in the TL batting .314 with nine home runs and 25 runs-batted-in in July.
With the loss the Drillers fall to one game behind the Naturals in the TL North Division second half standings with 32 games remaining.
With the score tied at 6-6 in the seventh, the Naturals used a four run rally to pull away from the Drillers. Eric Hosmer belted a solo home run to lead off the inning, and Clint Robinson drew a walk, Paulo Orlando was hit by a pitch and Tim Smith singled to load the bases with no outs. Manuel Pina followed with a single that plated two more Naturals runs. A double by Chris McConnell plated Pina and put Northwest in front 10-6.
The Naturals jumped to a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Derrick Robinson led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout. Tulsa starting pitcher Cory Riordan then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Derrick Robinson to race home for the first run of the game. Tulsa responded in the second with a five run rally. Jeff Kindel drew a lead off walk, but was forced out at second on a groundout by Scott Beerer. Radames Nazario was then hit by a pitch by Naturals starter Mario Santiago that put runners on first and second with one out. Warren Schaeffer followed with a single to centerfield that centerfielder Derrick Robinson overran. The error allowed Beerer to race home, Nazario to move the third and Schaefffer to advance to second. Anthony Jackson then drove a groundball up the middle that was snagged by shortstop Chris McConnell, but Jackson was able to beat out the throw at first. The infield single allowed Nazario and Schaeffer to race home. Charlie Blackmon doubled in Jackson, and Blackmon scored on a base hit by Bronson Sardinha that put the Drillers ahead 5-1.
The Drillers extended their lead to 6-1 in the fourth when Mike Mitchell singled, stole second, swiped third and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Blackmon.
Northwest Arkansas quickly tied the game with a five-run inning of their own in the fourth. With two outs, Tim Smith and Manuel Pina blasted back-to-back solo home runs before Derrick Robinson's three-run homer knotted the score at 6-6.
Jackson and Blackmon led the Tulsa offense with two hits and a pair of runs driven in.
The Drillers will look to rebound as they continue their series with the Naturals Wednesday night. Keith Weiser (8-6, 4.07 ERA) will take the mound for Tulsa against Northwest Arkansas' Mike Montgomery (3-1, 2.79 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00PM at Arvest Ballpark.
Texas League Stories from August 4, 2010
- Hooks Battle Back in Triumph - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Give Brasier Support in 6-1 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- 9th Inning Error Dooms Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Ninth Inning Error Gives Naturals Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cardinals Baffled by Travelers, 6-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Midland Evens Series with 7-2 Win Over 'Riders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Montgomery Activated, Santiago to DL - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- One Bobble & A 500-Pound Gorilla Escapes - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Lose, Rosario Injured - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards' Hill Rips Travs With Two Homers - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals use big flies in comeback - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Chip Missions - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Springfield Blow Out Travs - Springfield Cardinals
- 'Riders snag a win to end skid - Frisco RoughRiders
- Beltre blazing a trail to the majors - Frisco RoughRiders
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