Herrera, Lo Deck Cards
April 30, 2007 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Tulsa shortstop Jonathan Herrera entered Monday afternoon's game with the Springfield Cardinals in a 0-16 slump. The 22-year-old native of Venezuela ended the slump by leading a 15-hit attack with 4 singles as the Drillers beat the Redbirds 8-2 at Hammons Field. The win allowed the Drillers to split the four-game series in Springfield and moved them into sole possession of first-place in the North Division standings, one game in front of the Cards.
It was the third four-hit game of the season for Herrera, who is now hitting .337. Before his hitless streak, he was leading the Texas League with a .377 average.
The Drillers used a big five-run fifth inning in Monday's victory. They also got some help from Springfield starting pitcher Eric Haberer. His throwing error meant all five runs were unearned.
The score was tied at 1-1 when Herrera began the top of the fifth with an infield hit. Chris Frey followed with a sacrifice bunt attempt that Haberer fielded and threw wildly past first base, putting runners at second and third. After the error, a broken-bat groundout by Jordan Czarniecki allowed Herrera to come home and break the tie. Matt Miller then popped out, but Christian Colonel joined Frey on the bases by drawing a two-out walk. Tino Sanchez followed and hit Haberer's first pitch just over the fence in left field for his first homer of the season. The big hit gave the Drillers a 6-1 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, Joe Mather hit his league-leading 10th home run of the season to pull the Cardinals to within 6-2.
Jeff Dragicevich's two-run homer off the top of the left field fence in the ninth inning upped Tulsa's lead to 8-2. It was one of three hits for the infielder who has now homered in three straight games.
First baseman Duke Sardinha also collected three hits in the game.
Drillers' starting pitcher Ching-Lung Lo evened his record at 2-2 with the victory. Lo worked six innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs. He walked three hitters and struck out four.
Juan Morillo followed Lo to the mound and worked two perfect innings, and Matt Daley pitched a scoreless ninth to conclude the victory.
The Drillers now return home to begin a four-game series with the Arkansas Travelers Tuesday night. Zack Parker (2-0, 5.79 ERA) will start the opener in place of the injured Jon Asahina. Daniel Davidson (1-3, 2.12 ERA) will work for the Travs. First pitch on Tuesday is set for 7:05PM.
NOTES: Asahina has been diagnosed with a fractured bone and a ruptured eardrum and is still under observation at a Little Rock hospital. He is expected to be released on Wednesday.
Asahina was struck in the head by a line drive in Thursday's loss to the Arkansas Travelers.
Texas League Stories from April 30, 2007
- Riders Outlast Hooks on Breezy Night - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers issue parking update - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Fall in Series Finale, Return Home Saturday - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Comeback Stymied In Ninth - Arkansas Travelers
- Herrera, Lo Deck Cards - Tulsa Drillers
- Baseball School Registration Underway - Corpus Christi Hooks
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