Travs outlast Drillers
Published on June 6, 2006 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
An early morning thunderstorm that roared through Tulsa left Drillers Stadium without power until just one hour before the start of Tuesday night's game between the Drillers and the Arkansas Travelers. The power outage did not carry over to the two teams as they combined for 5 home runs and 25 base hits as the Travelers won an 8-6 slugfest. Despite the setback, the first-place Drillers remained two games in front of Springfield in the North Division standings of the Texas League. Wichita defeated the Cardinals 11-4 on Tuesday.
In the opening game of a 9-game homestand Tuesday, the Drillers fell behind early as the first batter, Aaron Peel, hit his 5th home run of the season to open the game.
The Travelers added four more runs in the top of the third off Tulsa starter Steven Register. Eric Rodland singled home Greg Porter, who had doubled, to make it 2-0. Third baseman Matt Brown upped the margin to 5-0 later in the inning with a 3-run homer, his 8th of the year.
The Drillers cut into the lead in the bottom of the third when Troy Tulowitzki reached on an error and Seth Smith walked. Joe Gaetti cleared the bases with his 5th home run of the year to make it 5-3.
Arkansas answered with single runs in both the 4th and 5th innings to take a 7-3 lead, but the Drillers responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 5th. With one out Tulowitzki belted his 8th home run. Following the homer, Smith walked and then later scored on a double by Ian Stewart to cut the Travs lead to 7-5.
The Drillers missed a chance to tie the game or possibly take the lead in the bottom of the sixth when they loaded the bases with no outs. But, reliever Rich Thompson retired three straight hitters, as Tulsa left all three runners stranded.
The Travelers added a final run in the top of the seventh inning off Alberto Arias. Peel singled and scored on a double by Brandon Wood.
Jordan Czarniecki cut the lead to 8-6 with his 7th home run of the year to begin the 8th inning. The Drillers then made things interesting in the bottom the ninth as Gaetti and Stewart led off with consecutive singles against Miguel Gonzalez. With the tying runs in scoring position, Gonzalez struck out Chris Iannetta and Joe Koshansky and then retired Czarniecki on a sharp grounder to third to end the game.
Gaetti led an 11-hit Tulsa attack with a 3-5 night. He needed only a triple to hit for the cycle. Stewart and Koshansky added two hits each.
The Drillers and Travelers will play game two of their series Wednesday afternoon at Drillers Stadium. Juan Morillo (5-2, 2.62 ERA) will pitch for Tulsa against Chris Hunter (1-5, 8.29 ERA) of Arkansas. Game time on Wednesday will be 12:05PM.
Texas League Stories from June 6, 2006
- Travs win 8-6 At Tulsa for third straight win - Arkansas Travelers
- Albers leads Hooks to victory - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Springfield still two back - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs outlast Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Mariners to hold tryout at Wolff Stadium - San Antonio Missions
- Barzilla to Houston - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Relay For Life Night At Hammons Field - Springfield Cardinals
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