Mayora's 9th Inning Homer Beats Hooks
Published on April 18, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Daniel Mayora has hit double figures in home runs only once in six minor league seasons, but Saturday night, he hit the biggest homer of the Drillers young season. With Daniel Carte at first and the Drillers trailing 5-4 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Mayora hit a full count pitch from Paul Estrada over the wall in left field to give Tulsa a 6-5 walk-off win over the Corpus Christi Hooks. It was Mayora's second homer in as many nights and the second straight victory for the Drillers.
The Hooks carried a 5-3 lead into the ninth, but Darin Holcomb led off with a double to give Tulsa hopes of a comeback. Carte followed with a single to put runners at first and third. Ryan Harvey brought the Drillers to within a run with a sacrifice fly, but Rex Rundgren struck out to leave the Hooks within one out of a win.
Manager Stu Cole called on Mayora to pinch hit, and he worked a full count against Estrada. With Carte running from first base, Mayora hit a line drive into the net just above the wall in left field for a game-winning homer.
The dramatic victory allowed the Drillers to win their three-game series with the Hooks, two games to one. It improved their season record to 5-4.
The Hooks scored first in Saturday's game, thanks to a pair third inning runs. Drew Meyer's single scored Wladimir Sutil to make it 1-0. Later in the inning, starting pitcher Douglas Arguello singled and scored on a base hit by Andrew Locke to put the Hooks on top 2-0.
The Drillers answered in the fourth inning. Mike McKenry led off with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Holcomb.
Tulsa took its first lead in the sixth, as Chris Nelson walked, stole second base and scored on a ground ball single by Jeff Kindel. Holcomb followed with a double to center field that brought Kindel home to give the Drillers a 3-2 lead.
The Hooks retook the lead with a two-run seventh. With the bases loaded, Tulsa reliever Adam Bright picked a runner off first base, then intentionally walked Jhon Florentino to reload the bases. With two outs, Drew Meyer singled to bring home two runners and give Corpus Christi a 4-3 lead.
Mitch Einertson added a solo homer to left in the eighth to extend the margin to 5-3 and set the stage for Tulsa's dramatic ninth inning comeback.
Mayora's homer gave reliever Jonathan George his first win of the year. George worked the final two innings to get the victory.
The San Antonio Missions will be in Tulsa Sunday to begin a three-game series at Drillers Stadium. Ernesto Frieri (0-0, 7.20 ERA) will start the opener for San Antonio, while Chaz Roe (0-0, 4.50 ERA) will take the mound for Tulsa. First pitch Sunday afternoon will be at 2:05PM.
Texas League Stories from April 18, 2009
- Naturals pour it on late, defeat Missions 5-2 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Mayora's 9th Inning Homer Beats Hooks - Tulsa Drillers
- Furnish Strong in Cards' 4-2 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Squander Early Lead Losing 8-6 - Arkansas Travelers
- Mayora Walks Off with Series - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Mosebach Leaves For Salt Lake, Brasier Joins Travs Pen - Arkansas Travelers
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