Koshansky sinks Hooks
August 9, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Tulsa Drillers first baseman Joe Koshansky entered Wednesday night's game in a mini-slump, hitting only .200 with one home run during the current homestand. In the final game of the homestand on Wednesday, that slump ended in a big way. Koshansky homered twice and drove in three runs as the Drillers defeated the Corpus Christi Hooks 7-3.
The big night for Koshansky moved him further up the Tulsa record books. He now has 30 home runs on the year, only two behind the franchise record of 32. Koshansky also became the first player in Minor League Baseball to reach 100 runs batted in this season. He now needs only five more RBI to tie Carlos Pena with the franchise record of 105.
Starting pitcher Marc Kaiser took advantage of Koshansky's big night to gain the win and improve his record to 8-9. The right-hander allowed 8 hits and 3 runs in 7 innings of work. Kaiser's was conservative with his pitches, issuing only one walk without striking out a batter.
Koshansky's big night began early as he gave the Drillers a first-inning lead with two-run homer off Chance Douglass.
Joe Gaetti made it 3-0 when he led off the second inning with his 14th home run.
The Drillers upped the margin to 5-0 in the third. With two outs, a pair of walks and a hit batsman loaded the bases. Tino Sanchez followed with a two-run single into right field.
Corpus Christi got on the board in the fourth inning as Hunter Pence doubled and scored on a base hit by Josh Bonifay, but Tulsa got the run back in the bottom of the sixth as Gaetti walked and later scored on a double play grounder.
The Hooks pulled closer with a two-run eighth inning. Consecutive singles by Josh Anderson and Tike Redman to begin the inning ended Kaiser's night. Alberto Arias came on and walked Pence to load the bases. Walter Young followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Anderson. Josh Newman was then summoned from the bullpen, and he retired Jorge Cortes on a sacrifice fly that plated Redman to trim Tulsa's lead to 6-3. Newman ended the threat by retiring Jonny Ash on a ground out.
Koshansky wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the eighth when he belted a pitch from reliever Aaron Williams into the net in left-center field for his second homer of the game.
The victory gave Tulsa two wins in the three-game series with the Hooks. The Drillers have now won nine of the ten meetings between the two teams this season.
Tulsa will enjoy an off day on Thursday before beginning a 3-game series in San Antonio Friday night. In the series opener, Steven Register (3-8, 5.47 ERA) will pitch for the Drillers against Roberto Rohrbaugh (3-3, 3.70 ERA) of the Missions.
• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...
Texas League Stories from August 9, 2006
- Travs rally late, but fall short in 7-6 loss - Arkansas Travelers
- Koshansky sinks Hooks - Tulsa Drillers
- Hooks fall 7-3 to Tulsa - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cards to open seven game home stand - Springfield Cardinals
- Annual Stampede Wranglers Awards Banquet - Wichita Wranglers
- Plenty of Exciting Promotions Remain In Final 11 Home Games - Springfield Cardinals
- Late rally falls short, Hooks lose 5-4 - Corpus Christi Hooks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
