Spina's Homer Drops Drillers in the 12th
Published on June 3, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Midland's Michael Spina picked a good time for his first hit Thursday night. The first baseman's two-run homer in the top of the 12th inning broke a deadlock and sent the RockHounds to a 6-4 win over the Tulsa Drillers at ONEOK Field.
The loss ended the Drillers two-game winning streak, but it did not affect their first-place lead in the North Division standings of the Texas League. Tulsa remains one-game in front because Northwest Arkansas was beaten in ten innings by Frisco.
In the pivotal 12th inning, Tulsa reliever Daniel Turpen was one out away from completing his third inning of work. But with the bases empty, Turpen walked Stephen Parker to extend the inning. On a 3-1 pitch, Spina belted a drive that just cleared the glove of a leaping Scott Beeer in left-center field to give the RockHounds the lead. The homer was Spina's team-leading tenth of the season.
The Drillers had come from behind twice in the game, but Midland reliever Neil Wagner made sure it did not happen a third time as he retired Tulsa in order in the bottom of the 12th to end the game.
It was the second straight extra-inning affair between the two teams as Tulsa defeated the RockHounds in ten innings the previous evening.
For much of the game, it appeared that extra play would not be necessary as Midland jumped to a 3-0 lead with a run in the second inning and two more in the third. Adam Heether led off the second with a double and scored on a two-out hit from Mitch Canham.
In the third, Jermaine Mitchell drew a walk and advanced to second on a base hit by Grant Green. Mitchell scored on a single by Parker, while Green came home on a sacrifice fly from Spina.
The Drillers were blanked through the first four innings by Midland starter Anthony Capra before plating a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Thomas Field singled and Mike Mitchell reached on an error by Parker at third base. After Warren Schaeffer walked to load the bases, Tim Wheeler scored Field with a sacrifice fly. Hector Gomez followed with a lined singled into center field that plated Mitchell to trim the Midland lead to 3-2. Tulsa missed a chance to possibly pull even as Schaeffer was thrown out to end the inning trying to advance to third on the hit by Gomez.
It remained a one-run game until Ben Paulsen finally pulled the Drillers even in the eighth inning. The first baseman hit his sixth home run of the season, a solo drive to right field, to tie the score at 3-3.
The teams traded runs in the tenth inning. In the top of the frame, Parker drew a two-out walk from Turpen and eventually scored on a hit by Heether.
The Drillers rallied to tie the game in the bottom half when Gomez doubled and scored on a hit by Paulsen.
Tulsa starting pitcher Rob Scahill was looking for his third straight win, but he had to settle for a no decision. He allowed the three runs in six innings of work.
Keith Weiser worked two scoreless relief innings, and Adam Jorgenson pitched a scoreless ninth.
Tulsa and Midland will play the finale of their three-game series Friday night. Josh Sullivan (1-2, 5.73 ERA) will pitch for the Drillers against former Washington Nationals hurler Jason Bergmann. Bergmann, who spent parts of six seasons in the majors, including last year, will be making his first appearance of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from June 3, 2011
- Drillers Record Another "Major" Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions Rally Again In Ninth To Finish Sweep - Arkansas Travelers
- Missions Sweep Travelers In Three Game Series - San Antonio Missions
- Naturals skid hits five as Frisco sweeps - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cardinals Beat Hooks 3-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- RoughRiders score 18 runs, sweep Naturals - Frisco RoughRiders
- Game Notes, June 3 - Springfield at Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Robert Earl Keen to Headline Ziegfest - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Blanks Homer Beats Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Spina's Homer Drops Drillers in the 12th - Tulsa Drillers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
