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TL1 Tulsa Drillers

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June 9, 2005 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


For the second straight game Thursday night, the Arkansas Travelers were in a generous mood. But, for the second straight game, the Tulsa Drillers failed to take advantage. One night after failing to win despite scoring the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning on an error, the Drillers failed to capitalize on eight walks issued by the Travelers pitching staff and were shutout 3-0 on Thursday. The loss trims the first-place Drillers lead in the East Division standings to five games and keeps their magic number for clinching the first-half title at six.

Tulsa's best chance to score in Thursday's loss came in the first inning against starter Clayton Andrews. The Drillers loaded the bases on a single by Jayson Nix and walks to Ryan Spilborghs and Alvin Colina, but Andrews retired Corey Slavik on a popup to end the threat.

The Drillers put two more runners on in the second when Doug Bernier singled and Tony Miller walked with two outs, but Nix popped out to the shortstop to end the inning. Bernier's single would be the Drillers final hit of the game.

The Travelers broke the scoreless tie with a pair of runs in the fourth off Tulsa starter Jon Asahina. Albert Callaspo and Erick Aybar began the fourth with consecutive singles. Tommy Murphy broke the deadlock with a sacrifice fly, and Greg Porter made it 2-0 with a run-scoring double.

Arkansas added an additional run in the bottom of the eighth off reliever Chris Young. With two outs and the bases loaded, Porter singled off third baseman Slavik's glove to score Aybar to make it 3-0.

The Drillers threatened in the top of the ninth against Aaron Pullin. Colina and Slavik walked with one out to bring the tying run to the plate, but Pullin struck out Gustavo Escobar and got Tino Sanchez on a ground out to end the game.

It was only the second time this season that the Drillers have been shutout. Andrews, making his first start of the season for Arkansas, allowed only the two hits in seven shutout innings to gain his first win of the season.

Asahina missed his chance to become the Texas League's first 8-game winner. He surrendered 8 hits and 2 runs in six innings. The loss dropped his record to 7-3.

Newcomer Ben Crockett made his Drillers debut a success with a scoreless seventh inning, and Young allowed the eighth inning run on three hits.

The Drillers and Travelers will conclude their series Friday night at Ray Winder Field. Christian Parker is the scheduled starter for Tulsa. Game time is scheduled for 7:10PM.

NOTES: Sanchez, a catcher, joined the Drillers on Thursday to replace Dan Conway who was promoted to Triple A Colorado Springs earlier in the day. Sanchez played for the Drillers during the 2003 season. He was hitting .250 for Bridgeport in the independent Atlantic League this season.

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