Kaiser stops Travs
June 8, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers entered Thursday night's game against the Arkansas Travelers with the lowest team ERA in the Texas League. Starting pitcher Marc Kaiser made sure the Drillers remained in the top spot with one of the best outings of the season. The right-hander allowed only 3 hits and 2 unearned runs in 8 innings as Tulsa snapped a 2-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Travelers.
The win was especially pleasing for the Drillers as Wichita rallied for 7 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to defeat Springfield 8-4 on Thursday. Tulsa now holds a three game lead over the second-place Cardinals in the North Division standings with only 9 games remaining in the first-half of the Texas League season.
Kaiser out-dueled Arkansas starter Jesse Smith in the quickly played contest that lasted only two hours and ten minutes.
Both pitcher's were hurt by defensive lapses early in the game. In the bottom of the first inning, Tulsa leadoff hitter Troy Tulowitzki reached on an error by shortstop Brandon Wood. After moving to third on a double by Seth Smith, Tulowitzki scored the game's first run on a groundout by Ian Stewart.
A Drillers error led to a 2-run second inning for the Travelers. With one out, Greg Porter lofted a drive near the warning track in left field. Joe Gaetti got to the ball, but dropped it for a 2-base error. After the error Bobby Wilson reached on a fielder's choice grounder as Porter was retired at third on a throw from Tulowitzki as short. Jason Aspito brought Wilson home with his 11th home run of the year to give Arkansas a 2-1 lead.
Joe Koshansky tied the game for Tulsa in the bottom of the second with his 14th homer of the season.
From there, the pitchers took over and the game remained tied until the Drillers broke through in the bottom of the seventh. Chris Iannetta and Koshansky began the inning with consecutive singles. Another error then helped the Drillers. With runnres at first and second, Jordan Czarniecki laid down a sacrifice bunt, but when second baseman Devin Day failed to touch first base, the bases were loaded. Jud Thigpen followed and put the Drillers in front with fly ball to left field that plated Iannetta with the tie-breaking run. With runners at the corners, Doug Bernier executed a perfect suicide squeeze to score Koshansky and give the Drillers a 4-2 lead.
With the 2-run lead, Kaiser worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning before turning the game over to closer Manuel Corpas in the ninth. Corpas allowed a two-out single to Wilson before retiring Aspito on a pop up to Doug Bernier to end the game. It was the Texas League leading 17th save of the year for Corpas.
In 12 starts this season, Kaiser has now worked at least six innings ten times. In Thursday's victory that improved his record to 5-4, he walked only two hitters and struck out three.
The Drillers will try to gain a split in their 4-game series with the Travelers by winning Friday's series finale. Ubaldo Jimenez (6-2, 3.38 ERA) will take the mound for Tulsa against Nick Green (1-0, 3.86 ERA) of Arkansas. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from June 8, 2006
- Hooks top Midland - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cards drop fourth straight - Springfield Cardinals
- Kaiser stops Travs - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs trumped 4-2 by Tulsa's Kaiser - Arkansas Travelers
- Four RockHounds selected as All-Stars - Midland RockHounds
- RockHounds to Return home in Playoff Race - Midland RockHounds
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