Drillers Win In 10 Innings
Published on May 24, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
It was not quick and it was not easy, but the Tulsa Drillers got a win Sunday afternoon in Springfield. The Drillers overcame a late rally from the Cardinals and then a 1:21 minute rain delay in the tenth inning to post a 4-3 extra-inning win at Hammons Field. The result moved Tulsa back to within one game of first-place Springfield in the North Division standings of the Texas League.
The Drillers appeared to be in good shape Sunday, as they carried a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning. But with one out in the eighth, Tyler Henley tripled off reliever Ryan Speier. Henley came home on an RBI ground out from Owasso native Pete Kozma to cut the Drillers lead to a single run.
Manager Stu Cole turned to closer Andrew Johnston, who was a perfect 13 for 13 in save opportunities, to work the ninth inning. Johnston quickly ran into trouble when Daryl Jones singled and Tony Cruz walked to begin the inning. A sacrifice bunt in which all runners were safe loaded the bases with no outs. Johnston struck out Steven Hill, but Matt Arburr tied the game with a sacrifice fly. It remained that way when Kozma flied out to end the inning.
The Drillers recovered as Daniel Mayor drew a leadoff walk in the top of the tenth inning. A ground out and a wild pitch advanced him to third base. After Ryan Harvey walked, Darin Holcomb put Tulsa back in front with a double off Eduardo Sanchez that scored Mayora, but Harvey was thrown out at the plate trying to add an insurance run
Immediately after Garner's hit, heavy rains forced the umpires to call for the tarp from the grounds crew. Following a one hour and twenty-one minute delay, the game resumed as Mike McKenry flew out to end the Tulsa tenth.
Tommy Baumgardner came on to work the bottom of the tenth and retired the first two hitters before Jones singled to prolong the game. Cruz followed with a deep drive to center field that Anthony Jackson caught near the wall to end the game.
The late rally from the Redbirds kept Tulsa starter Jhoulys Chacin from collecting his fourth win of the season. The right-hander allowed only four hits and one run in six innings of work. He also recorded seven strikeouts.
The Drillers staked Chacin to an early lead as Harvey hit his team-leading seventh homer of the season leading off the second inning.
The Cards answered in the bottom of the second as Chacin loaded the bases after surrendering a pair of singles and a walk. With two outs, he hit opposing pitcher Trey Hearne with a pitch to force in the tying run.
Cole Garner put Tulsa back in front with solo homer in the top of the third.
It remained 2-1 until the eighth when Harvey doubled and scored on a base hit by McKenry.
The two teams will wrap up their four-game series at 12:10PM Monday afternoon. Samuel Deduno (5-1, 2.91 ERA) will pitch for the Drillers against Ryan Kulik (0-2, 5.47 ERA) of the Redbirds. Deduno will be attempting to become the first 6-game winner in the Texas League this season.
NOTES: Sunday's game was the first extra inning game of the season for the Drillers. . . .It finished 4 hours and 34 minutes after the first pitch was thrown. . . .Tulsa won the game despite issuing season high nine walks to the Redbirds.
Texas League Stories from May 24, 2009
- Travs and Naturals washed out Sunday - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Win In 10 Innings - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Fall in Extras - Springfield Cardinals
- Lisson to AAA, Cody Clark returns to Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Arkansas signs Florence, Breen released - Arkansas Travelers
- Frisco Edges San Antonio, 4-3 - Frisco RoughRiders
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