Hearne, Cards Blank Drillers
September 3, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
An old nemesis came back to again haunt the Tulsa Drillers Thursday night. In the one-game playoff earlier this season that determined the first-half North Division champion, Springfield pitcher Trey Hearne beat Jhoulys Chacin and the Drillers to claim the title. After a stint in Triple A, Hearne is back with the Cardinals and limited the Drillers to only five hits in eight shutout innings Thursday as Springfield blanked Tulsa 2-0 at Hammons Field.
Despite the loss, the Drillers remain only one game behind first-place Northwest Arkansas in the second-half pennant race with only four games remaining in the regular season. The Naturals were defeated by Arkansas Thursday in North Little Rock.
In the Cards victory over the Drillers, Hearne out-dueled Brandon Durden. Durden (7-4) suffered the loss despite giving up only one earned run in seven innings.
The Tulsa lefthander made only one mistake, and it came in the bottom of the fourth inning. With the score tied 0-0, Durden surrendered a leadoff home run to Andrew Brown.
Springfield's other run came in the seventh with the benefit of an error. With two outs and the bases empty, Tyler Henley reached on an error by second baseman Daniel Mayora. Hearne followed with a double that scored Henley to make it 2-0.
It was more than enough support for Hearne. He retired the first six hitters of the game before issuing a leadoff walk to Brad Corley in the top of the third. It would eventually lead to Tulsa's best scoring chance as Danny Sandoval followed with a base hit that sent Corley to third.
After Durden struck out trying to bunt with two strikes, Anthony Jackson laid down a bunt. Hearne fielded the ball and threw home to get Corley who was not breaking with the pitch. Darin Holcomb then grounded out to end the threat.
Both teams were held to six hits each in the game that took only 2:04 to complete.
The Drillers are scheduled to play their final road game of the regular season on Friday against the Cardinals. Chaz Roe (7-3, 3.13 ERA) will pitch for Tulsa against Lance Lynn (11-4, 2.92 ERA) of Springfield with first pitch set for 7:10PM at Hammons Field.
Texas League Stories from September 3, 2009
- Royals acquire two Rangers prospects in trade - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- 'Riders Edge Hooks, 3-2 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Hearne, Cards Blank Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Anton & Travs Roll Over Naturals 9-3 - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards Shut Out Drillers Thursday - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals encourage fans to attend series in Tulsa - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Tracy Clubs Walk-Off HR in 11th - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Lucas Drives In Six Helping Naturals To Win - Arkansas Travelers
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