TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Drillers Win, Move Closer to Naturals

Published on July 29, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


The Tulsa Drillers plated five runs in the bottom of the first inning and were able to hold on to defeat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 5-3 Thursday night at ONEOK Field. Starting pitcher Cory Riordan was dominant in seven innings of work as Tulsa was able to corral the Naturals high-power offense. With the victory, the Drillers moved within 1/2 game of the first-place Naturals in the Texas League North Division standings.

Riordan threw seven strong innings allowing three runs off five hits while striking out eight batters to pick up his sixth win of the year. Since June 1, the right-hander has been one of the best pitchers in the TL, going an impressive 5-0 with a 2.88 ERA over nine starts.

Tulsa starting pitcher Cory Riordan threw seven strong innings in the Drillers 5-3 victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Thursday night at ONEOK Field.

The Drillers staked Riordan to a quick lead thanks to a five-run first inning. Anthony Jackson led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Charlie Blackmon. Bronson Sardinha followed with a long fly ball into the right field berm for the his sixth home run of the season. After an out, Jeff Kindel drew a walk and moved to third on a single by Scott Beerer. Lars Davis then drew a walk that loaded the bases, and Warren Schaeffer was able to draw another walk to force home Kindel and keep the bases loaded. A single by Radames Nazario plated Beerer and Davis and put the Drillers in front 5-0.

Riordan cruised through the first three innings allowing only one hit and striking out three batters, but ran into some trouble in the fourth. Johnny Giavotella singled and Eric Hosmer doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs. After Riordan struck out the next two batters Tim Smith blasted a ground-rule double to centerfield that cleared the bases and cut the Tulsa advantage to 5-2.

Northwest Arkansas crept a run closer in the top of the seventh. Smith and Anthony Seratelli drew walks to start the inning, and both runners advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt by Ben Theriot. Chris McConnell followed with a ground out that plated Smith for the Naturals third run of the game.

Andy Graham relieved Riordan to start the eighth inning, and after recording the first two outs, the right-hander quickly found himself in some trouble. Paulo Orlando doubled and Jamie Romak walked to put runners on first and second. Graham was able to get out of the jam by getting the dangerous Smith to fly out to end the inning.

The Naturals threatened again in the top of the ninth against Drillers closer Stu Pomeranz. Theriot and McConnell singled to put runners on first and second with one out. Pomeranz was able to end the threat by getting Derrick Robinson to fly out and Giavotella to strikeout swinging to end the game and record his 12th save of the season.

Sardinha led the Tulsa offense with a pair of hits and two runs driven in. He was the only Drillers player with more than one hit.

The Drillers will now travel to North Little Rock to begin a four-game series Friday night with the Arkansas Travelers. Keith Weiser (7-6, 4.33 ERA) will take the mound for Tulsa against Arkansas' Ryan Brasier (5-8, 5.74 ERA). First pitch is schedule for 7:10PM at Dickey-Stephens Park.

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Texas League Stories from July 29, 2010


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