Loss Drops Drillers Into Second
September 2, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Twice during Tulsa's game at Springfield Wednesday night, the Drillers seemed to be on their way to a victory. But on each occasion, the Cardinals rallied. The final comeback came on a three-run eighth inning that sent the Redbirds to a 7-6 win.
The loss dropped the Drillers out of a first-place tie with Northwest Arkansas. The Naturals defeated Arkansas 8-2 to move into sole-possession of first place in the North Division standings, one game in front of Tulsa with only five games remaining in the regular season.
Through the first-half of Wednesday's game, the Drillers seemed to be on their way to a victory behind Texas League Pitcher of the Year Samuel Deduno. Deduno opened the game's scoring himself in the top of the third with the first home run of his professional career, a solo shot that just cleared the wall down the left field line.
The inning continued with a double by Anthony Jackson. After a passed ball and a walk to Darin Holcomb, Jackson came home on a base hit by Michael Paulk. Later, Holcomb scored on a throwing error by second baseman Aaron Luna to make it 3-0.
For a good portion of the game, it appeared that the three runs would be enough for the Drillers to get a win. Deduno held the Cardinals without a hit through the first five innings, but he ran into trouble in the sixth.
Deduno began the sixth by walking Pete Kozma. After pitcher Nick Additon struck out on a failed bunt attempt, James Rapoport hit a bouncer back to Deduno that looked to be an inning-ending double play, but the Tulsa pitcher was charged with an error on the play when his throw to second got past shortstop Rex Rundgren.
With runners at first and second, Colt Sedbrook struck out, but Andrew Brown walked to load the bases with two outs. Steven Hill then cut the Drillers lead to only one run with a two-run double. Joe Mather followed with another double that scored both Brown and Hill to give the Redbirds a 4-3 lead.
The Drillers moved back into the lead with three runs of their own in the top of the eighth and again an error played a key role. Pinch-hitter Danny Sandoval singled and Holcomb joined him on base when he was hit by a pitch. Paulk reached to load the bases when shortstop Kozma mishandled his grounder for an error. Daniel Mayora followed with a double just inside the third base foul line. The ball rolled into the left field corner, clearing the bases and putting Tulsa back in front 6-4.
The Cardinals answered in the bottom of the eighth against reliever Matt Reynolds. The first two batters against Reynolds reached when Sedbrook was hit by a pitch and Brown doubled. With the tying runs at second and third, Reynolds retired Steven Hill on an infield pop out, but Mather came through again with a two-run single to tie the game at 6-6. Following a walk to Daryl Jones, Donovan Salona delivered a base hit to give Springfield the lead and the eventual win.
The game-tying hit capped a big night for Mather who finished 2-4 with four runs batted in. The 27-year-old outfielder, who played in 54 games in the majors last year for the St. Louis Cardinals and spent the first-half of this season with Triple A Memphis, rejoined Springfield two weeks ago.
Mather and veteran pitcher Trey Hearne, who also recently returned to Double A from Memphis, will make Springfield a tough opponent for either the Naturals or Drillers in the North Division Playoff Series that begins next week.
Tulsa will get another look at Hearne (11-3, 3.01 ERA) Thursday night when the Cardinals and Drillers continue their series. Brandon Durden (7-3, 3.65 ERA) will be Hearne's opponent on the mound with starting time set for 7:10PM at Hammons Field.
Texas League Stories from September 2, 2009
- Mather with Big Night in 7-6 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Tracy, 'Riders Get Revenge - Frisco RoughRiders
- Loss Drops Drillers Into Second - Tulsa Drillers
- Kniginyzky departs Naturals for IBAF World Cup team - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Don't Miss The Farewell Weekend At Drillers Stadium - Tulsa Drillers
- Final Homestand Begins Saturday - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Fixler Thrashes Frisco - Corpus Christi Hooks
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