Sports stats

TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Drillers Up Early To Win

May 4, 2007 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


The Tulsa Drillers had a rare 10:05AM starting time for their homestand finale against the Arkansas Travelers Friday, but the Drillers' offense had no trouble with the early start, scoring two quick runs in the bottom of the first inning against Travs' ace Nick Adenhart.

Adenhart entered the game with a Texas-League best 0.80 ERA, but struggled with his command against the Drillers. The two-run first inning against the Angels top pitching prospect began with a one-out single by Jonathan Herrera. Adenhart then issued back-to-back walks to Jordan Czarniecki and Joe Gaetti to load the bases. Aaron Rifkin followed with a double to the left field wall that plated Herrera and Czarniecki, but Gaetti was gunned down at the plate.

The Drillers added two more runs in the fourth inning. Christian Colonel walked to lead off the inning, followed by Tommy Duenas getting hit by a pitch. Corey Wimberly grounded into a fielder's choice with Duenas out at second and Colonel moving to third. Herrera walked to load the bases, and Czarniecki hit his eighth double of the year to plate Colonel and Duenas and make the score 4-1.

Before Friday, Adenhart had given up just three earned runs for the year. Friday, he gave up four earned runs on six hits and five walks in just three and one-thirds innings.

Adenhart avoided a loss because of a three-run rally in the seventh by Arkansas. Michael Collins led off the inning by getting hit by the pitch, and Tim Duff followed with a single. Then, Matt Daley (1-1) relieved Tulsa starter Ryan Mattheus. Cody Fuller loaded the bases when he reached first on catcher's interference by Duenas. Adam Morrissey was hit by a pitch to score Collins, and Freddy Sandoval singled to score Duff and keep the bases loaded. Daley then threw a wild pitch that allowed Fuller to score and tie the game at 4-4.

Tulsa came back in the bottom of the seventh with three runs of its own. Aaron Rifkin reached first on an error when Travs relief pitcher Rafael Rodriguez (0-3) dropped the throw from first baseman Collins while covering first. Chris Frey doubled to score Rifkin from first, and Matt Miller doubled to plate Frey. After a Colonel single moved Miller to third, Duenas hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Miller and give the Drillers a 7-4 lead.

Juan Morillo worked a scoreless eighth inning, and Steven Register got his ninth save of the year to close out the victory. Register got the save despite giving up a run in the ninth.

The Drillers will head to Wichita to take on the Wranglers in a four-game series starting Saturday night. The Drillers will start Ching-Lung Lo (2-2, 6.55 ERA) and the Wranglers will start Jason Cromer (1-2, 6.16 ERA) in the opener. Saturday's game will start at 7:00.

NOTES: Mattheus replaced scheduled starting pitcher Franklin Morales. Morales was scratched with a hamstring injury. . . . .The Drillers are scheduled to face major leaguer Scott Elarton on Sunday in Wichita. Elarton, who is on the Kansas City Royals' disabled list, will make an injury-rehabilitation start for the Wranglers.

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics



Texas League Stories from May 4, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Tulsa Drillers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central