Jimenez halts skid
Published on June 14, 2006 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Entering Wednesday afternoon's game with the Wichita Wranglers, the Tulsa Drillers had seen their 3-game lead atop the North Division standings of the Texas League disappear with a 3-game losing streak. In need of a big game, starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez delivered. Jimenez, the winner of the past two Texas League Pitcher of the Week Awards, made a case for his third straight award by holding the Wranglers without a hit through the first five innings as the Drillers shutout the Wranglers 5-0.
The importance of Wednesday's victory will not be fully determined until after Springfield plays Arkansas later tonight. The win for the Drillers temporarily moves them ½ game ahead of the Cardinals in the division standings. Tulsa and Springfield will close the first-half of the season with a 4-game series in Missouri. If the Cardinals defeat the Travelers in Wednesday night's game, the Drillers will have to win three of the four games to claim the first-half title. If the Travelers win, Tulsa will need to win only two of the four games in Springfield.
In Wednesday's win, Jimenez continued his recent dominating form. He did not allow a Wichita hit until Dee Brown singled off the glove of first baseman Joe Koshansky with one out in the sixth inning. The initial hit put runners at first and second, but a strange play ended the inning. Donnie Murphy hit a sinking line drive into left field. Joe Gaetti made a diving attempt but fielded the liner on a short hop. The base runners were holding on the play, resulting in a strange 7-4-5-4 double play grounder to end the threat.
The Drillers had staked Jimenez to an early lead in the game. Gaetti belted his 7th home run of the season high over the net in left field in the first inning to give Tulsa a 1-0 lead.
A 2-run second inning added to the margin. Chris Iannetta led off with a walk and advanced to third on a base hit by Koshansky. After Jordan Czarniecki scored Iannetta with a sacrifice fly, Christian Colonel doubled to center field to move Koshansky to third. Troy Tulowitzki made it 3-0 with the second sacrifice fly of the inning.
It remained 3-0 until the Drillers added an insurance run in the eighth inning without the benefit of a hit. Gaetti walked and stole second base. He moved to third on a ground out and scored on a balk by reliever Juan Cedeno.
Jimenez departed after six innings due to a high pitch count as the result of three walks and two hit batsmen. He only allowed the one hit while striking out six. In his last four outings, the right-hander has allowed only 9 hits in 27 innings while striking out 29 hitters.
Jim Miller relieved Jimenez to start the 7th inning and allowed two hits in two scoreless innings, while Jason Burch struck out the side in a 1-2-3 ninth inning to preserve the win.
In the opening game of the 4-game series in Springfield Thursday night, Enmanuel Ulloa (4-2, 3.44 ERA) will take the mound for the Drillers against Jordan Pals (5-1, 4.36 ERA) of the Cardinals. First pitch from Hammons Field is scheduled for 7:10PM.
Texas League Stories from June 14, 2006
- Travs 5-3 win at Springfield ends skid - Arkansas Travelers
- Missions shutout Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Palm Beach nearly perfect - Springfield Cardinals
- Jimenez halts skid - Tulsa Drillers
- Hooks win first half title - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Return Home For Four Games June 15-June 18, All-Star Game on June 20 - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks win first half - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Playoffs in sight - Corpus Christi Hooks
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