Drillers say goodbye to Ray Winder Field with six homers
August 29, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers played their final game ever at Little Rock's Ray Winder Field Tuesday night. It's a game many on the team will not soon forget. The Drillers tied a franchise record by hitting six home runs and defeated the Arkansas Travelers 10-6. The Travelers lost despite hitting three homers of their own.
In addition to the offense, the Drillers got another strong outing from starting pitcher Juan Morillo who improved his record to 12-8 with the win. Morillo worked the first seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits. He walked only one hitter while striking out nine. The win was the fourth straight for the right-hander and his fifth during the month of August.
The Drillers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning without the benefit of a home run as Seth Smith singled and scored on a double by Joe Gaetti.
A solo homer by Sean Rodriguez in the bottom of the inning tied the game, but the Drillers started their power display in the top of the second. Christian Colonel led off with his 9th home run of the season. After Jordan Czarniecki doubled, Jeff Dragicevich belted his first Double A homer to put Tulsa in front 4-1.
A solo shot by Alvin Colina in the fourth increased the margin to 5-1.
After the Travs scored in the bottom of the fourth, Smith hit his 15th homer in the fifth to put the Drillers in front 6-2. Ian Stewart and Colonel made it 8-2 with consecutive home runs to begin the sixth inning.
A two-run single by Gaetti in the seventh inning completed the scoring for Tulsa.
Matt Pali hit a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh for Arkansas, and Greg Porter added a 3-run shot in the eighth to make the final 10-6.
Ray Winder Field has been the home for professional baseball in Little Rock since 1932. The Travelers will move into a new ballpark in North Little Rock next season.
Tulsa will close the regular season with a 5-game series in Wichita against the Wranglers. It will be a preview of the North Division Playoff Series as the Wranglers clinched a post-season berth with an extra-inning win over Springfield late Monday night. The Wranglers have assured their berth despite the Drillers still having a chance to win the second-half title with a sweep of the 5-game set. Enmanuel Ulloa is scheduled to start Wednesday's opener for Tulsa.
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Texas League Stories from August 29, 2006
- Travs lose to Drillers, combine for nine home runs - Arkansas Travelers
- RockHounds sweep series - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers say goodbye to Ray Winder Field with six homers - Tulsa Drillers
- Parisi sharp in 5-3 win - Springfield Cardinals
- Koshansky and Jimenez honored - Tulsa Drillers
- Alex Gordon Named Texas League Player of the Year - Wichita Wranglers
- Clark, Albers take league honors - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Diamond and Gold Named Texas League Post-Season All-Stars - Frisco RoughRiders
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