Drillers Stage Huge Comeback Friday To Topple Travs
Published on May 1, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - Four outs away from winning three of four at Tulsa, the Arkansas Travelers lost an eight-run cushion with poor fielding at the forefront of a late meltdown in a 9-8 loss to the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday night. The Travs scored seven runs in the fifth inning and let 8-0 after the top of the seventh, but the Drillers took advantage of two errors and bashed three home runs over the last two innings with backup catcher John Bowden ending the game with a three-run homer (1) with no outs in the ninth.
Right hander Trevor Bell pitched outstandingly over seven innings and allowed just one run on three base hits and one walk with four strikeouts. The Travs sent 12 batters to the plate in the fifth inning and took advantage of three Tulsa errors to score seven runs.
An RBI double by Ben Johnson in the seventh inning scored Hank Conger to give the Travs an 8-0 lead. Conger finished 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored, while Johnson reached base three times and collected two RBI.
Right hander Chad Blackwell was the first out of the bullpen and he got two quick outs in the eighth when Tulsa second baseman Rex Rundgren grounded to shortstop. First baseman Mark Trumbo dropped the throw allowing the inning to continue and the Drillers made the Travs pay. Centerfielder Anthony Jackson followed with a single, his only base hit of the series. Then shortstop Chris Nelson capped his 3-for-4 night with a three-run homer (4) to left bringing Tulsa within an 8-4 score.
Arkansas had left hander Barret Browning come on to pitch the ninth and Sutton misplayed the first play of the inning allowing Darin Holcomb to reach base. Ryan Harvey then connected on a long two-run homer (3) to left field getting the Drillers within two runs. Mike Paulk then bounced to the shortstop hole beating Sutton's throw for a single, and the Travs responded by summoning their closer David Herndon (1-1) who got ahead of Cole Garner with two strikes. Garner reached base though when his hard grounder back through the middle deflected off the glove of second baseman Ryan Mount. Bowden went deep to right field on a 1-0 pitch to cap the Drillers comeback and split the four-game series.
The Travs were held without a run by Tulsa right hander Chaz Roe in four innings, but two walks and a single loaded the bases in the fifth with no outs. Coby Smith drove in a run with a bouncer to third base, but another run scored when Tulsa second baseman Rex Rundgren threw away the relay on the double play attempt. Peter Bourjos bunted for a single and stole second base, and Mark Trumbo singled to drive in two runs. A single by Conger was followed by Sutton's run-scoring single ending Roe's night. Right hander Andy Graham relieved and gave up two more runs on an RBI single by Ben Johnson and another throwing error by Holcomb giving the Travs their biggest inning of the year.
The Travs managed just two more base hits the rest of the way, and righty Shane Lindsay (1-1) was given credit for the win by retiring the Travs in order in the ninth.
The game was played in 2:55 and the paid attendance numbered 2,876.
The Travs will begin a four-game series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Friday night at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. Left hander Trevor Reckling (1-0, 0.00) will pitch the opener against Drillers righty Dan Cortes (0-3, 6.23). The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.
Texas League Stories from May 1, 2009
- Drillers Take Series-Opener - Springfield Cardinals
- Chacin Shines In Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Frisco Defeats Corpus in Series Opener 9-3 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Travs and Naturals Washed Out Friday Night - Arkansas Travelers
- Friday's game vs. Travelers rained out - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Frisco 'Rides Out of Town with Split - San Antonio Missions
- Series Preview: Diamond Series picks up in Springdale - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Stage Huge Comeback Friday To Topple Travs - Arkansas Travelers
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