Travs Edge Drillers In Extras
Published on May 2, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
It took nearly four hours and eight pitchers to decide Friday nights extra innings game at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Drillers lost a heartbreaker to the Arkansas Travelers 8-7 in ten innings. Tulsa started things off in the first inning as DH Tony Blanco singled in second baseman Corey Wimberly to take a 1-0 lead. The Travs answered back in the bottom of the third with three runs. Second baseman Ryan Leahy led off the inning with a single and later scored on a throwing error by Drillers starter Ching-Lung Lo after a Hainley Statia bunt. Coby Smith was able to score on a Michael Collins ground out while Ben Johnson drove a grounder to first baseman Jeff Kindel could not handle to give Arkansas a 3-1 lead.
The next few innings both teams exchanged several runs. The fourth inning Drillers left fielder Matt Miller doubled and was driven in by Blanco to cut the lead to 3-2. In the same inning center fielder Coby Smith singled in Cliff Remole to give the home team the two run lead back at 4-2. Tulsa quickly fired up the bats in the fifth inning when Wimberly scored on a past ball and DH Tony Blanco cleared the bags with a 3 run double giving the Drillers a 6-4 advantage.
Arkansas would have an answer to that as in the sixth inning Coby Smith singled in Remole to cut the lead to 6-5.
The scoring would cool down until the eighth when pinch hitter Nate Sutton tied the game with a single to drive in former Drillers outfielder Jordan Czarniecki. The game deadlocked at 6-6 took another offensive display in inning number ten.
Tulsa center fielder Dexter Fowler drew a two out walk and was able to score after shortstop Chris Nelson singled and left fielder Matt Miller reached on a throwing error. The Drillers had the lead 7-6 and summoned closer Ryan Matheus.
Matheus was 3-3 on save chances, but the bats of the Travs proved to be to much on this night. Adam Morrissey and Jordan Czarniecki singled and Cliff Remole reached on a throwing error by Matheus, the bases were loaded. Matheus was able to get the next two batters out, but Hainley Statia drove a double over Daniel Cartes head in right field to give Arkansas the 8-7 victory.
Designated Hitter Tony Blanco led the Drillers with 5 RBI's and going 3-5 on the night.
Starting pitcher Ching-Lung Lo went four innings, gave up five hits on two earned runs. He walked one and stuckout one in the no decision.
Ryan Matheus took the loss dropping his record to 0-1.
Tulsa takes on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Saturday evening at 7 pm. Xavier Cedeno (3-2 3.73 ERA) will start for the Drillers.
Texas League Stories from May 2, 2008
- Travs Walk Off With Win 8-7 - Arkansas Travelers
- Travs Edge Drillers In Extras - Tulsa Drillers
- Hooks Rally from Four Down to Avoid Sweep - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cards Alone in First Place After 7-3 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Paz, Manzella, Norris Take Home April Honors - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Naturals Back In Town Saturday Night - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Set For Eight-Game Stand - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Campaign Goes Mobile - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Hooks Rally, Then Fall in Eighth - Corpus Christi Hooks
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