Drillers Win, Await Title Fate
Published on June 23, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers have done everything they can to win a first-half title in the North Division of the Texas League. Now, they must sit and wait.
In its final game of the first half Tuesday afternoon, Tulsa defeated Northwest Arkansas 13-1 to temporarily move ½ game ahead of Springfield in the North Division standings. The Drillers now wait on the outcome of Tuesday night's meeting between the Cardinals and the Arkansas Travelers. A Travs victory would give the Drillers the first-half title. A Cards win would make Friday's game at Drillers Stadium between Tulsa and Springfield a tie-breaking match up with the winner claiming the first-half championship and a spot in the Texas League playoffs.
In near 100 degree heat Tuesday afternoon at Drillers Stadium, Tulsa jumped on top of the Naturals 3-0 in the bottom of the third. After a single by Darin Holcomb, Rex Rundgren laid down a perfect bunt that rolled just inches away from the third-base line. The single put runners at first and second for Anthony Jackson. The Tulsa leadoff hitter gave the Drillers the start they wanted with a three-run homer to right.
It was the first home run for Jackson since he hit a pair of homers on opening night. The diminutive centerfielder entered this season with only eight round-trippers in his professional career.
Tulsa starting pitcher Esmil Rogers blanked the Naturals through the first three innings, but he ran into trouble in the fourth. Ed Lucas doubled and scored on a base hit by Jeff Bianchi that cut the lead to 3-1.
It would be as close as Northwest Arkansas would get as Tulsa scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 5-1 lead. After Mike Paulk walked and Cole Garner reached on a fielding error, Mike McKenry singled home Paulk. A fielding error on a sacrifice bunt from Holcomb loaded the bases. Garner then scored on a ground out by Rundgren.
A big six-run outburst in the bottom of the fifth pushed the Drillers' lead to 11-1. Jeff Kindel led off with a ground ball single before he moved to third on Paulk's single. Garner was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and McKenry came through again with a line drive single to left that scored Kindel and Paulk.
Holcomb followed with another single to again load the bases. Brad Corley brought home two more runs, while Rundgren singled home another. Corley came home with the final run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to center by Jackson.
Tulsa added single runs in both the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh Holcomb doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Rundgren.
In the eighth, Garner's sixth homer of the year completed the scoring.
The 13 runs were a season high for the Drillers, while every Tulsa starter collected at least one hit with McKenry and Holcomb leading the way with three each.
Jackson picked up a season high four runs batted in, while McKenry and Rundgren had three each.
Rogers (7-2) matched a season high with eight innings pitched. He allowed only the one run on eight hits while striking out seven without issuing a walk.
Regardless of the outcome in Springfield Tuesday night, Tulsa will begin the second half of the season Wednesday evening at Drillers Stadium. Keith Weiser (5-5, 4.24 ERA) will pitch for Tulsa against Blake Johnson (5-5, 4.95 ERA) of Northwest Arkansas. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from June 23, 2009
- Cards Clinch Share Of North Division - Arkansas Travelers
- Tuesday Win Sets up Friday Showdown - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions Top Hooks, Win Half - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers, Cards To Play In Tulsa Friday For Title - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Win, Await Title Fate - Tulsa Drillers
- Adults to eat free at next Monday's Daygame! - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Reliever Holland added as All-Star - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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