Drillers Win, Tied For First
Published on August 4, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
In the first-half of this season, Tulsa and Springfield finished in a first-place tie in the North Division standings, with the Cardinals eventually winning a one-game playoff. The Drillers may be headed to similar type race in the second half.
Tuesday night, in the first game of a three-game series, Tulsa defeated Northwest Arkansas 11-3 to move into a tie with the Naturals atop the division standings. In the victory at Springdale's Arvest Ballpark, the Drillers got a rare, nine-inning complete game from pitcher Chaz Roe and five runs batted in from Ryan Harvey.
Roe (5-2) was outstanding in delivering the first nine-inning performance for a Drillers' pitcher this season. The right-hander allowed three runs, but only two were earned. He walked three hitters and struck out two. Roe threw only 108 pitches, 68 strikes, in the complete-game outing that gave the bullpen a much-needed rest.
Darin Holcomb gave Tulsa a quick lead with a long one-out, solo home run in the top of the first inning, but the Naturals answered with a Marc Maddox solo blast in the second.
The Drillers broke the 1-1 tie in the third when Danny Sandoval walked and scored on a base hit by Jeff Kindel.
They broke open the game with a five-run fifth. Sandoval and Holcomb both walked and scored on a two-run double by Kindel. After Michael Paulk reached on an error, Mike McKenry singled, but Kindel was thrown out at the plate attempting to score. Cole Garner brought home the inning's third run with a base hit, and Harvey brought home two more with another hit to increase the lead to 7-1.
The Naturals cut into the lead with an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth, but the Drillers put the lead out of reach with four runs in the seventh. McKenry and Garner singled in front of a three-run homer by Harvey, his team-leading 16th home run of the season.
Later in the seventh, Sandoval hit his first homer of the year, a solo shot, to give the Drillers an 11-2 lead.
The Drillers added a final run in the bottom of the ninth.
Offensively, the Drillers produced 16 hits as Harvey, Garner and Kindel collected three hits each. Harvey's five runs batted in where a season high for a Tulsa hitter.
The Drillers and Naturals will play game two of their series Wednesday night in Springdale with the winner taking over sole possession of first place. Keith Weiser (7-10, 4.91 ERA) will pitch for Tulsa against Rowdy Hardy (2-1, 3.12 ERA) of Northwest Arkansas. Starting time is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from August 4, 2009
- Roe, Drillers cruise Tuesday - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Win, Tied For First - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Win, Tied For First - Tulsa Drillers
- Majewski Back to DL, Wipke Returns to Arkansas - Arkansas Travelers
- Series Preview: Drillers and Naturals fight for spot - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Texas League Update - TL1
- A Healthy Win - San Antonio Missions
- Travs Strand Nine In 5-1 Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Pound Hounds, Take Finale 12-5 - Corpus Christi Hooks
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