McKenry's Walk-off Homer Gives Drillers Win
September 5, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Mike McKenry's misfortune was the Tulsa Drillers' good fortune. The Tulsa catcher was supposed to be on his way to Europe to represent the United States in the Baseball World Cup, but a concussion he suffered from a foul ball derailed those plans and kept him with Drillers. Saturday night, McKenry rescued Tulsa's playoff hopes with a walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Drillers a 4-3 win over Northwest Arkansas at Drillers Stadium.
The Naturals were within three outs of clinching the second-half title of the North Division as they carried a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth. Michael Paulk began the inning with a line drive single to right off Blake Wood, only the fourth hit of the game for Tulsa. Ryan Harvey followed with another lined single into center, bringing McKenry to the plate.
Tulsa manager Ron Gideon gave him the bunt sign, but he was unsuccessful on two attempts. McKenry quickly made up for his failure by belting a 1-2 pitch from Wood high into the net in left-center field to give the Drillers the dramatic victory and keep their season alive.
For eight innings, the Naturals pitchers had kept the Tulsa bats silent. Starter Everett Teaford no-hit the Drillers through the first five innings before Anthony Jackson reached on an infield single to lead off the sixth.
The Naturals scored two runs in the top of the second off Andy Graham.
The lead held until the Drillers ended the shutout with a run in the seventh, but the Naturals got the run back in the top of the ninth.
The Drillers and Naturals now have two games remaining in the regular season. Northwest Arkansas needs only one more win to claim the second-half title, while Tulsa must win both games.
Game two is scheduled for 6:05PM on Sunday night at Drillers Stadium. Keith Weiser (9-14, 5.08 ERA) will pitch for the Drillers against Federico Castaneda (0-3, 4.63 ERA) of the Naturals.
Texas League Stories from September 5, 2009
- Travs Stun Cards With 9-7 Comeback Win - Arkansas Travelers
- McKenry's Walk-off Homer Gives Drillers Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Perez, Spann, Sutil Hooks Heroes - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cards Let Big Lead Slip Away on Saturday - Springfield Cardinals
- Midland Beats Frisco, Clinch Division - Frisco RoughRiders
- Hounds Need One Win To Clinch 2nd Half Title - Midland RockHounds
- Dexter Fowler to play for Drillers tonight - Tulsa Drillers
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