Walk-off homer beats Drillers
June 28, 2005 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
After winning the first-half East Division title, the Tulsa Drillers are having a slow start to the second half. Monday night in Frisco, the Drillers lost 8-6 on Will Smith's 2-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th inning. The loss left the Drillers with a 0-4 record to open the second half.
After falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning on Drew Meyer's first home run of the season, Tulsa took the lead with a 2-run third. After Tony Miller walked and Jud Thigpen doubled, Jeff Salazar tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Another double by Alvin Colina gave the Drillers a 2-1 lead.
The RoughRiders answered with four runs in the bottom of the third off Jon Asahina to go in front 5-2.
A strange home run in the top of the sixth gave the Drillers their third run. Sean Barker hit a ball down the left field line that was originally called a foul ball by third base umpire Jeremy Sparling. Tulsa manager Tom Runnells convinced Sparling to consult with the other umpires and had Barker run the bases. After a discussion among the umps, the ruling was changed to a fair ball and a home run, and crew chief Delfin Colon summoned Barker from the dugout and had him circle the bases a second time.
Thigpen cut the Frisco lead to a single run with his first Texas League home run in the seventh inning.
The RoughRiders upped their lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh when Joaquin Arias doubled and scored on a ground out.
A single by Barker and a double by Doug Bernier pulled the Drillers to within one run in the eighth inning.
Tulsa finally tied the game in the top of the ninth with a little help from the Riders. Thigpen led off with an infield single and moved to second on a passed ball. Jeff Salazar then hit a ground ball to the left of second baseman Seth Taylor. Taylor got to the grounder but his hurried throw was wide of first, and Thigpen was able to score to tie the game at 6-6.
It remained tied until the bottom of the 12th. Tulsa reliever Chris Young retired Taylor to start the inning, but he then hit Jason Hart with a pitch. Smith followed with his fourth homer of the year to allow Frisco to walk off with the victory.
The loss wasted a big night from Thigpen. The outfielder, playing in only his second game with the Drillers, went 4-6 with three runs scored and one run batted in. Salazar and Barker added two hits each.
Pitcher Thomas Diamond, the Texas Rangers Number 1 draft pick in 2004, made his Double A debut for the RoughRiders. Diamond worked the first four innings, surrendering two earned runs on four hits and four walks. He struck out six Tulsa hitters.
Tulsa and Frisco will play game two of their 3-game series Tuesday night. Enmanuel Ulloa (2-1, 2.73) will pitch for the Drillers against Nick Masset (3-7, 6.80) of the RoughRiders.
Texas League Stories from June 28, 2005
- Pomeranz pitches well, Herr homers again in 8-3 Loss - Springfield Cardinals
- Five-run eighth inning breaks losing streak - Tulsa Drillers
- Bank of America and the Drillers honor your "Neighborhood Champions" - Tulsa Drillers
- Six former San Antonio players named to Texas League Hall of Fame - San Antonio Missions
- Missions return home for Independence Day weekend - San Antonio Missions
- Walk-off homer beats Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards power way past Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Hooks Take League Honors - Corpus Christi Hooks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
