Travs lose to Drillers, combine for nine home runs
August 29, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Ray Winder Field, Little Rock, AR - Tying a franchise record with six home runs, the Tulsa Drillers (34-30, 75-59) won their last game at Ray Winder Field with a 10-6 victory over the Arkansas Travelers (25-38, 49-84). Tulsa RF Christian Colonel belted two solo home runs (10) as the Drillers collected eight extra-base hits. Travs SS Sean Rodriguez (4), RF Matt Pali (9) and 1B Greg Porter (19) all smacked long balls with Rodriguez scoring three runs. Joining Colonel on the home run parade were C Alvin Colina (12), SS Jeff Dragicevich (1), 3B Ian Stewart (10) and RF Seth Smith (15). Tulsa RHP Juan Morillo (12-8) struck out nine batters over seven innings and allowed three runs on four walks and a walk. All six Tulsa long balls were hit off RHP Jesse Smith (7-13) over a six innings stint.
The Drillers didn't need a home run to tally their first run, but got a one-out single by Smith and a two-out double from RF Joe Gaetti for a 1-0 lead. Gaetti finished with three hits and three RBI.
The Travs briefly tied the game in the bottom of the first inning when Rodriguez slammed a long one over the left-center field screen monster.
Tulsa belted two home runs in the second inning to take the lead for good. Colonel smacked a leadoff homer to left field and CF Jordan Czarniecki followed with a double. With two outs, Dragicevich went deep to right field giving the Drillers a 4-1 lead.
Colina drove a solo home run over the Ray Winder Field scoreboard in the fourth inning getting Tulsa ahead by five. The Travs answered in the fourth inning after Morillo had retired eight straight batters. Rodriguez hit a leadoff double and scored when 2B Eric Rodland doubled to right to cut Tulsa's lead to 5-2.
Over the course of the fifth and sixth innings, the Drillers hit three home runs over six hitters. Smith took Smith deep to right in the fifth inning, while Stewart and Colonel began the sixth inning with home runs and the Drillers led 8-2.
RHP Jeff Heaverlo allowed Gaetti's two-run single in the seventh inning and the Drillers led 10-2 going to the bottom of the seventh inning.
After Morillo set down nine of ten batters, Pali took him onto the freeway past right field for a solo home run in the seventh inning.
RHP Jason Burch relieved Morillo for the eighth inning and he issued two walks before Porter launched the ninth-and-final home run of the night over the centerfield wall and onto the Mills Freeway.
Time of game was 2:39 and the paid attendance was 2,861.
The final series at Ray Winder Field begins Tuesday night with Springfield visiting through Sunday. In the opening game of the set, the Travs send RHP Nick Green (8-4, 4.44 ERA) to pitch against Springfield RHP Jordan Pals (7-5, 3.88 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. and the gates open at 6:10 p.m.
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Texas League Stories from August 29, 2006
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