Riders Win Opener Over Drillers
Published on August 6, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
August 6, 2008 - In the first-half of the season, the Frisco RoughRiders swept the three games with Tulsa played at Drillers Stadium. Wednesday night, in the first meeting of the second half between the two teams, the Riders success continued with a 10-3 victory over the Drillers in Tulsa.
Frisco never trailed in the game, thanks to an offense that generated 12 hits, including 3 home runs.
The lone bright spot of the night for the Drillers was Corey Wimberly, who increased his stolen base total for the year to 58 with two more swiped bags. Wimberly leads the Texas League in steals and is now only 22 shy of the franchise record of 80 stolen bases set by Eddie Miller in 1977.
The Drillers missed a chance to take a first-inning lead when Craig Gentry robbed them of at least two runs. The right fielder made a spectacular diving catch on a line drive down the line by Jeff Kindel that came with one out and runners on first and second. Kindel's hit would have surely rolled to the wall, allowing both runners to score, but Gentry's catch kept the runners in check and allowed the Riders to escape the first unscathed.
It only took Gentry a half inning to hurt the Drillers again. Gentry singled and advanced to second when Tulsa starting pitcher Keith Weiser, making his Double A debut, issued a walk to Adam Fox. The next batter, Thomas Berkery, launched a double into the gap in right-center field to score Gentry and Fox and give the Riders a 2-0 lead.
Frisco increased its with a three-run fourth inning. A sacrifice bunt by Gentry moved Steve Murphy, who had doubled, and Dustin Majewski, who had walked, into scoring position. A sacrifice fly by Adam Fox plated Murphy, and Majewski scored on a single by Berkery. The third and final run of the inning came on a two-out double by RoughRiders catcher Manny Pina.
The Riders increased their lead to 6-0 in the fifth inning on a two-out solo home run by Murphy.
The Drillers scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning thanks to a two-run double by Daniel Carte. With the bases loaded and two outs, Carte drove a liner into the right-center field gap, scoring Wimberly and Eric Young Jr. to cut the Riders' lead to 6-2.
Tulsa added another run in the seventh inning when Wimberly walked and stole second. After advancing to third on a ground out by Young, he scored on a ground out by Tony Blanco to trim the margin to 6-3.
The RoughRiders added four more runs in the ninth inning to put the game out of reach. The inning was highlighted by a three-run homer by Jose Vallejo. Elvis Andrus followed with a solo-shot to make the final 10-3, giving the Drillers their 8th loss in their last 10 games.
Tulsa will look to Tomas Santiago (3-8, 4.40 ERA) to right the ship against former Drillers pitcher Zack Parker (2-1, 3.80 ERA). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM Thursday night at Drillers Stadium.
Texas League Stories from August 6, 2008
- Hooks Hammer Travs Late - Corpus Christi Hooks
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- Opportunity Knocks for Midland, Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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