Tulsa Overcomes Early Deficit in 10-6 Win
Published on August 13, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Much of the Tulsa Drillers success this season can be attributed to pitching and defense, but Sunday night at ONEOK Field, they won a game with their bats. The Drillers spotted Midland a five-run lead before erupting for nine consecutive runs and a 10-6 victory. The win was their third straight.
The winning streak appeared in jeopardy as the RockHounds roughed up Tulsa starter Dan Houston for six runs in the game's first four innings, racing to an early 6-1 lead.
The early offensive output from Midland began in the top of the first inning when five hits and a walk produced three runs.
Angelys Nina put Tulsa on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the first. (Rich Crimi)
A solo home run by Angelys Nina in the bottom of the first cut the lead to 3-1. It was the fifth homer of the year for the Tulsa second baseman.
Houston pitched around a leadoff double in the second inning before the Hounds struck again in the third. Miles Head drew a walk to open the inning, and Josh Horton doubled. After Houston hit Jeremy Barfield with a pitch to load the bases, Beau Taylor brought home a run with a ground out and David Freitas plated another with a sacrifice fly.
Midland upped its lead to 6-1 in the top of the fourth on a run-scoring double from Horton before the Drillers began their comeback in the bottom of the frame. Ben Paulsen cut the deficit to three runs with his 12th home run of the season. The opposite-field drive off RockHounds' starter Shawn Haviland also scored Nina who had opened the inning with a base hit.
Tulsa moved to within 6-5 with two more runs in the fifth. Mike Mitchell led off with a single then stole both second and third bases. On the steal of third, the throw escaped third baseman Head, allowing Mitchell to score.
The second run came home when Tim Torres singled and scored on a double by Warren Schaeffer.
The Drillers took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Nolan Arenado greeted reliever Ian Krol with a double to left, and then scored to tie the game when Paulsen lined a single into center field. Kiel Roling, who was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, followed with another single, and Lars Davis moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.
After Krol intentionally walked Mitchell to load the bases, Midland summoned Jose Guzman from the bullpen to face Torres. The right fielder spoiled the Hounds strategy by grounding a single into right field that scored both Paulsen and Roling to give the Drillers an 8-6 lead.
A two-out double by Corey Dickerson later in the inning added two more runs and upped the lead to 10-6.
A perfect relief outing by Tim Sexton made the comeback possible. Sexton took over for Houston to open the fifth inning and retired all nine batters he faced, including four on strikeouts.
Zach Simons pitched around a two-out walk and base hit to work a scoreless eighth inning, and Mike Solbach worked a 1-2-3 ninth the complete the victory.
Sexton picked up the win to improve his Tulsa record to a perfect 3-0. It was his fourth win in the Texas League this season.
Every Tulsa starter but Davis had at least one hit in the game as the Drillers out-hit the RockHounds 11-9. Nina, Paulsen and Torres collected two hits each in the game.
Arenado finished 1-4 and extended his hitting streak to 11 games. In the streak, he is hitting .413.
The two hits by Paulsen extended his hitting streak to 9 straight.
The big offensive output extended a recent trend for the Drillers. In the five games of the current homestand, the offense is hitting an even .300.
Tulsa will look to complete a three-game sweep of Midland Monday night at ONEOK Field. Parker Frazier (4-13, 4.00 ERA) will pitch for the Drillers against Sonny Gray (5-8, 4.12 ERA) of the RockHounds. Starting time for the finale is scheduled for 7:05PM.
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