Houston Tosses Complete Game Shut-Out, Win 4-0
Published on July 29, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Coming into Friday night's matchup between the Tulsa Drillers and the Arkansas Travelers the teams had played each other twenty four times already in the 2011 season. Each team was a combined 12-12 against the other with Friday night proving to give one or the other a slight advantage in the season series. Drillers' starter Dan Houston tossed a complete game shut-out, as the Drillers scored four in the top of the ninth to defeat the Travelers 4-0.
Through four innings Friday night the Drillers had their chances against Travelers starter against Matt Shoemaker. The trouble for the Drillers was not getting runners into scoring position, but being able to driving the runs in. The Drillers went 0 for 4 with runners at either second or third through that strech, wasting key opportunities, thus the score remained deadlocked at 0-0.
In the fifth the Drillers threatened to score with Erik Wetzel and Tim Wheeler reaching base to lead off the inning on a single and walk respectively. After Hector Gomez sacrificed both runners up a base, the Drillers had two chances to score a run with two of their best hitters coming up.
Ben Paulsen popped out to the first baseman, and Wilin Rosario struck out to end the threat keeping the score even at 0-0.
After throwing 110 pitches through five and two-thirds innings, Shoemaker was pulled from the game in favor of Travelers' reliever Loek Van Mil. Though Shoemaker would not be the pitcher of record, he allowed no runs on six hits, while striking out seven.
Shoemaker lowered his Texas League leading earned run average to 2.11.
After eight innings and neither team producing a run, the Drillers finally cracked the scoreboard in the top of the ninth. Wetzel and Wheeler both lead off the ninth with singles to left and center field, reminiscent of the fifth. Gomez again sacrificed both up a base, giving Paulsen a chance to redeem himself from previously squandering an opportunity earlier in the ballgame.
Paulsen flew out to center, however Rosario picked up his teammate.
Rosario grounded a sharp liner over the mound that was fielded by the second baseman Matt Cusick. Cusik's throw was not only offline, but wild as well, pulling the first baseman off the bag and causing him to drop the errand throw. Wetzel and Wheeler both scored on the play giving the Drillers a 2-0 lead.
Rosario advanced to second on the play and came around to score when the next batter, Bronson Sardinha, doubled to left.
Thomas Field then tacked on an insurance run with Sardinha at second base. Field singled through the right side of the infield, scoring Sardinha from second and giving the Drillers a 4-0 lead.
Drillers' starter Dan Houston matched Shoemaker pitch for pitch throughout the night, and then topped him. Houston's complete game shut-out was the first thrown by a Driller pitcher since 2009 and his ten strikeouts tied the team's season high for the year.
Saturday night will be the second game of a four game set featuring the Drillers and Travelers. First pitch at Dickey-Stephens Park is scheduled for 7:10PM with the Drillers sending Cory Riordan (1-10, 5.88) to the mound, opposing him will be the Travelers' Garrett Richards (11-1, 3.23).
Texas League Stories from July 29, 2011
- Drillers Shut Out Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Pummel Naturals 11-4 - Springfield Cardinals
- Houston Tosses Complete Game Shut-Out, Win 4-0 - Tulsa Drillers
- Springfield tops Naturals with big fifth - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Missions fall to RoughRiders - San Antonio Missions
- Wieland Tosses Fourth No-Hitter in 'Riders History - Frisco RoughRiders
- Fuller Retires - Arkansas Travelers
- Game Notes, July 29 - Corpus Christi at Midland - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Missions Begin Seven-Game Home Stand Today - San Antonio Missions
- Ziegfest Bill Filled - Corpus Christi Hooks
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