Drillers Walk To Win
Published on April 21, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
April 21, 2008 - For eight innings Monday night, it appeared that the Tulsa Drillers were on their way to a nice and quick win over the Arkansas Travelers. Behind a strong outing from starting pitcher Brandon Hynick, the Drillers carried a 4-2 lead into the ninth, then watched as the Travs rallied to tie the game. Tulsa, however, was able to salvage the night by rallying for a run in the bottom of the ninth on a bases loaded walk for a 5-4 win. The up-and-down final inning, overshadowed the best outing of the year for Hynick. The 23-year-old right-hander was named the California League's Pitcher of the Year last year, but he entered Monday night's start against the Travs with a disappointing 10.13 ERA this season. After Monday, it appears he may be making the adjustment to Double A.
Hynick worked seven solid innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out one in the 85-pitch outing. The seven innings were the longest outing by a Tulsa pitcher this season.
The last-inning rally from Arkansas kept Hynick from recording his second win of the season. Trailing 4-2, the Travs began their comeback when Ben Johnson doubled off Casey Weathers with one out. Nate Sutton and Adam Morrissey followed with consecutive singles to trim the lead to one.
With runners at first and third, former Drillers outfielder Jordan Czarniecki hit a chopper to Corey Wimberly at third. Wimberly appeared to have a chance to throw Sutton out at the plate, but when he bobbled the grounder, all runners were safe and the Travs had the game tied at 4-4.
Weathers was able to strike out Cody Fuller before walking Coby Smith to load the bases. Eduardo Valdez relieved Weathers and fell behind Hanley Statia 3 balls and 1 strike, before retiring the Travs shortstop on a grounder back to the mound on a full count pitch.
The Drillers game-winning rally began with a leadoff double by Wimberly off the right field wall. After catcher Neil Wilson sacrificed him to third, Arkansas manager Bobby Magallanes elected to intentionally walk Eric Young Jr. and Dexter Fowler to load the bases.
The strategy backfired when reliever Douglas Brandt walked Jeff Kindel on four straight pitches to force in the winning run.
Early in the game, it looked like neither team would score as Hynick was matched by Arkansas starter Fernando Rodriguez. The Drillers finally opened the game's scoring in the fifth inning with help from the Travs defense. After Jeff Dragicevich began the inning with a leadoff double, Wimberly attempted to move him up a base with a bunt, but when third baseman Corey Smith threw wildly, the Drillers had runners at first and third. Wilson then doubled to give Tulsa the lead, and Young Jr. followed with a single that scored Wimberly to up the lead to 2-0. Wilson then came home on a double play grounder off the bat of Fowler to make it 3-0.
The Travs spoiled Hynick's shutout bid in the top of the sixth as Fuller singled and scored on a double by Michael Collins.
Tulsa got the run back in the bottom of the inning on a solo home run by Daniel Carte, his team-leading fifth of the season.
The Travs plated a second run against Hynick in the seventh as Morrissey singled and scored on a double by Czarniecki.
The victory moved the Drillers into sole possession of first place in the North Division standings with an 8-9 record, while the loss dropped the Travelers one game behind the Drillers with a 7-10 mark.
The four-game series between the two teams will continue Tuesday night at Drillers Stadium with Ching-Lung Lo (0-3, 18.00 ERA) pitching for Tulsa against Brok Butcher (1-0, 2.16 ERA) of Arkansas. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from April 21, 2008
- Travs Stage Comeback But Lose 5-4 - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals Snap Six-Game Losing Streak - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- 'Hounds Homer Happy in Win - Corpus Christi Hooks
- RoughRiders Edge Missions 6-5 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals "Un" Earn 1-0 Win on Monday - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Walk To Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Special Entertainment Acts, Fireworks On Tap This Week at Arvest Ballpark - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs Get Kennard, Lose Stertzbach And Duff - Arkansas Travelers
- Mosebach Wins Pitcher Of Week Award - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Home Monday For Eight-Game Homestand - Tulsa Drillers
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