
Naturals Crush Drillers Postseason Hopes
September 5, 2010 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers amazing postseason run came to a heartbreaking end Sunday night as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals posted a 4-3 walk-off victory. With the score tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning and a runner of first, Eric Hosmer lined a base hit into the right field corner that scored the Naturals' game-winning run. The devastating defeat officially eliminates the Drillers from the postseason.
The dramatic win by Northwest Arkansas crowned the Naturals the Texas League North Division second-half winner. Since the Naturals also won the first-half pennant, the Springfield Cardinals claim the remaining playoff spot by virtue of their better overall record during the entire 2010 season.
Northwest Arkansas game-winning rally began when Tulsa reliever Chris Malone walked the leadoff batter Johnny Giavotella on four straight pitches. On a 2-1 count, Hosmer roped a line drive down the right field line that allowed Giavotella to race home for the winning run.
Northwest Arkansas jumped to a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when leadoff batter Paulo Orlando belted a home run over the centerfield wall.
The Naturals stretched their advantage to 2-0 in the second thanks to an unearned run. With two outs, Jamie Romak and Chris McConnell singled to put runners on first and second. Orlando then hit a routine groundball to second baseman Jason Van Kooten, but the ball scooted under his glove and rolled into centerfield. The error allowed Romak to race home.
The Drillers responded in the top of third with a pair of runs that tied the game at 2-2. Charlie Blackmon led off with a perfectly placed bunt single before a base hit by Jordan Pacheco put runners on the corners. Bronson Sardinha then followed with a double down the right field line that allowed Blackmon to score and Pacheco to move to third. A groundout by Scott Beerer plated Pacheco and advanced Sardinha to third. The next batter Jeff Kindel struck out for the second out of the inning, but Northwest catcher Manny Pina thought it was the third out and jogged towards the Naturals' dugout. Sardinha broke home when Pina evacuated his post, but the catcher realized his mistake and caught Sardinha in a rundown for the final out of the inning.
Northwest Arkansas reclaimed the lead in the sixth despite a solid defensive play by the Drillers. Clint Robinson led off the inning with a single, but was erased when Nick Van Stratten grounded into a force out. Pina followed with an infield single that allowed Van Stratten to move to third. Tim Smith then laid down a bunt that catcher Pacheco corralled quickly, catching Van Stratten in a rundown as he tried to race home. The next batter Romak drew a walk that loaded the bases before Chris McConnell was also able to draw a walk to score the go-ahead run.
Tulsa rallied in the top of the seventh to once again tie the game. Matt Repec walked to start the inning, and after two outs Van Kooten was hit by a pitch. Charlie Blackmon then hit a grounder that the third baseman Romak could not round up. The error allowed Repec to race home to tie the score at 3-3. Pacheco then drew a walk that loaded the bases, but the Naturals were able to get out of the jam as Sardinha grounded out.
The Drillers missed an opportunity to score in the top of the due to an unlucky bounce. With Van Kooten on first, Blackmon smashed a groundball up the middle that would have advanced Van Kooten to third, but pitcher Barry Bowden deflected the ball. Second baseman Giavotella picked up the ball and was able to turn an inning-ending double play that set the stage for the walk-off.
Tulsa starter Keith Weiser threw six strong innings allowing three runs, two earned, while reliever Bruce Billings threw two scoreless innings.
Scott Beerer led the Drillers offense with two hits and one run driven in.
Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas will wrap up their three-game series and the Drillers will play their final game of the season Monday afternoon. Greg Reynolds (7-5, 5.00 ERA) will take the mound for Tulsa and will square off against a yet-to-be-named Naturals starter. First pitch is set for 1:00PM at Arvest Ballpark.
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Texas League Stories from September 5, 2010
- Naturals Crush Drillers Postseason Hopes - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Clinch Second Half - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Black & Blue Division Title On The Line Monday - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Snap Losing Streak Sunday - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Fall to Travelers 8-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Lose Tenth Straight - Arkansas Travelers
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