Shutout Gives Drillers Third Straight Win
Published on July 6, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Esmil Rogers has been one of the best pitchers in the Texas League this season, and he turned in another strong performance Saturday night. Rogers threw seven shutout innings as the Tulsa Drillers blanked the Corpus Christi Hooks 5-0 at Whataburger Field. It was the Texas League leading 11th shutout of the season for the Tulsa pitching staff.
Rogers was dominating against the Hooks. He allowed only four singles and two walks in his seven shutout innings. He struck out eight hitters while improving his season record to 8-2 with his fourth straight victory. His eight victories tie him with Springfield's Trey Hearne for the most in the TL.
The Drillers offense gave Rogers the only offensive support he needed in the third inning. Catcher Jose Gonzalez tripled with one out, then scored on a double by Anthony Jackson. Danny Sandoval followed with a base hit to make it 2-0.
It remained that way until the top of the seventh when Darin Holcomb doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Gonzalez to increase the margin to three runs.
Tulsa added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth inning. Singles by Daniel Mayora and Holcomb and a walk to Gonzalez loaded the bases with no outs. After Ryan Harvey struck out, Jackson delivered a two-run single to make it 5-0.
Newcomer Alberto Albuquerque, who was acquired in a trade from the Chicago Cubs, relieved Rogers and worked a scoreless eighth inning in his Drillers' debut.
Edgmer Escalona completed the shutout with a scoreless ninth.
The Drillers out-hit the Hooks 12-4. Holcomb led the attack with three hits, while Jackson, Mayora and Michael Paulk collected two each.
The win gave Tulsa two victories in its three-game series in Corpus Christi.
The Drillers will begin a three-game series in San Antonio Sunday evening. Samuel Deduno (6-2, 2.93 ERA) will work the opener with first pitch scheduled for 6:05PM in the Alamo City.
NOTES: Reliever Andrew Johnston has been placed on the disabled list with a strained forearm. Escalona will assume his role as the team's closer. . . . With his 8 Ks, Rogers passed teammate Jhoulys Chacin for the TL lead in strikeouts. Rogers now has 83 while Chacin has 76.
Texas League Stories from July 6, 2009
- Drillers Rally Past Missions 6-4 - Tulsa Drillers
- Hearne Handcuffs Hounds - Springfield Cardinals
- RoughRiders Win on Tracy's Extra-Inning RBI - Arkansas Travelers
- Wolff-Aided Victory - San Antonio Missions
- Drillers Return Home Thursday! - Tulsa Drillers
- RoughRiders Host National "Hoot's Chalk Talk" Event at Dr Pepper Ballpark - Frisco RoughRiders
- Shutout Gives Drillers Third Straight Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Veteran INF Lucas named Texas League Player of the Week - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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