Three Homers Lead Drillers Over Naturals
Published on May 12, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
May 12, 2008 - Prior to Monday night's meeting with Northwest Arkansas, the Tulsa Drillers were winless this season in four games against the Naturals. The Drillers were able to break the losing streak Monday, thanks to three home runs as Chris Nelson, Tony Blanco and Neil Wilson all homered in Tulsa's 7-3 win at Drillers Stadium. The Drillers were able to jump out to an early lead behind Nelson's two-run homer in the first inning off Naturals starter Julio Pimentel. Nelson's blast, his third of the season, followed a bunt single by Dexter Fowler.
Not to be outdone, the Naturals responded with a home run of their own in the top of the second inning. Brian McFall's line drive over the net in left field cut the Drillers lead to 2-1.
The Naturals tied the game an inning later on an RBI single by Juan Richardson.
Long balls continued to power the Drillers in the bottom half of the third when Blanco belted a home run to left field. The two-out solo shot put the Drillers back on top 3-2.
The homer barrage continued in the seventh inning. After giving up a walk to Justin Nelson and a single to Jeff Dragicevich, Pimentel was relieved by Kyle Crist. Wilson deposited Crist's first pitch of the night into the net in left field for a three-run homer. It was Wilson's first home run of the season.
Following the Wilson home run, center fielder Dexter Fowler tripled to left-center. Chris Nelson followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Drillers a 7-2 advantage. It was Nelson's third RBI of the night and number 21 for the season, matching Matt Miller's team high.
Tulsa starting pitcher Brandon Hynick (7 IP, 2 runs, 8 hits, 2 Ks) took advantage of the homers and errorless defense to post his second win of the year. The defensive effort was highlighted by a spectacular catch by first baseman Jeff Kindel hanging over the rail of the first base dugout that ended a possible rally in the seventh inning.
The two teams will play game two of their four-game series Tuesday night. The Naturals will send lefty Rowdy Hardy (0-3) to the mound to face Tulsa's Ching-Lung Lo (1-5). On Monday, Lo was named the Texas League's Pitcher of the Week for a 7-inning shutout of Arkansas.
First pitch Tuesday at Drillers Stadium will be at 7:05PM. NOTE: Naturals first baseman Kila Kaaihue left the game in the second inning with back spasms. Kaaihue leads the TL with 10 home runs.
Texas League Stories from May 12, 2008
- Travs Get Bats Going In Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Travs Down Cards 8-3 on Monday Night - Springfield Cardinals
- Three Homers Lead Drillers Over Naturals - Tulsa Drillers
- Faris Shines for San Antonio - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Lo Recieves TL Honor - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Lose Morrissey; Infante and Rodriguez Join - Arkansas Travelers
- Texas League update - TL1
- Travs Weekly Report - Arkansas Travelers
- Carlos Rosa Promoted to Omaha - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- First Half Pennant Race Begins - Midland RockHounds
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