Wild Walk-Off Winner
Published on May 26, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
A sellout crowd of 8,207 showed up to ONEOK Field on Friday night to see the rubber match of a 3 game set between the Drillers and the Frisco RoughRiders. The teams with the two best records in the Texas League did not let down the spectators as both starting pitchers registered superb outings and the Tulsa fans were treated to bonus baseball with extra innings.
The Drillers came away with the dramatic series win and their 2nd walk-off win on a wild pitch this season as Ben Paulsen came home with the winning run in the 12th inning as the Drillers topped the Riders 4-3. Ironically, Paulsen has been the Driller to score in both of the rare instances. His run won the game on May 12 against the Arkansas Travelers thanks to a walk-off wild pitch.
The game-winning rally began after Paulsen posted the most impressive at-bat of the night. After falling behind 0-2, he forced Wilfredo Boscan to throw nine more pitches. After working a full count, Paulsen fouled off three straight to keep the at-bat alive. Boscan missed wide with his 11th offering and put the Tulsa first baseman on first base.
Two batters later, Kent Matthes doubled for his third hit of the game and advanced Paulsen to 3rd base with 2 outs. With Mike Mitchell batting, Boscan threw a breaking pitch in the dirt that caromed far enough away from the catcher for Paulsen to score easily and clinch the series win.
Tulsa shortstop, Josh Rutledge, fields a ground ball during the Drillers 4-3 win over the Roughriders. (Rich Crimi)
Tulsa had taken an early lead, opening the game's scoring in the bottom of the second inning. After Kiel Roling reached base on a throwing error by the Riders third baseman, Matthes lined a single into center field and advanced Roling to third. Mike Zuanich then stepped to the plate and delivered an RBI single to right field to stake Nick Schmidt to a 1-0 lead.
Schmidt looked as if that run would be all that he would need in support as he cruised through 7 innings. He gave up just 2 hits on the night, one in the first and another in the second. Frisco never threatened as Schmidt retired 17 of the final 18 batters that he faced before being relieved to begin the top of the eighth inning.
Will Harris came into the game and walked 2 of the first 3 batters that he saw which led to manager Duane Espy calling for another arm from the bullpen. Lefty Tyler Johnson came in and only lasted 3 batters himself. Engel Beltre singled to load the bases and then Leury Garcia doubled to bring in 2 Rider runs. Tulsa elected to intentionally walk star prospect Jurickson Profar to load the bases and end Johnson's night. Zach Simons came in to keep the Drillers within reach but walked the first batter to bring in Frisco's 3rd run of the ballgame. Simons was able to retire the next two batters and end the inning with the score 3-1 in favor of the RoughRiders.
The rough half inning appeared to be the wakeup call that the Drillers offense needed as they quickly responded. Angelys Nina walked to begin the rally and Nolan Arenado followed with a line drive double into the left field corner. With the tying runs on base, reliever Carlos Pimentel was replaced by lefty Joe Ortiz. Paulsen welcomed Ortiz to the game with a line drive right back at him that deflected off of the pitcher's glove. Paulsen was able to leg out the infield single as Nina scored from third. With Arenado only ninety feet from home, Roling lined a sacrifice fly to centerfield that brought in the tying run.
Both teams failed to push a run across in the ninth inning and the game went into extra innings. Frisco missed an opportunity with a man in scoring position in the top of the 11th thanks to a great defensive play by Jose Gonzalez. The Drillers catcher threw behind the runner and caught him off the bag at second to end the Riders threat.
Tulsa had a chance of its own with 2 outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the 11th thanks to a single and an intentional walk, but Boscan was able to strikeout Nina to keep the marathon game in progress.
The Drillers will begin a three game homestand against the Midland RockHounds on Saturday night. Tulsa will send Joe Gardner (1-2, 5.68 ERA) to the mound to face off against Murphy Smith (3-1, 2.61 ERA) for Midland. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from May 26, 2012
- Double-Play Haunts Missions, Lose 4-3 - San Antonio Missions
- Gardner, Drillers Top Midland 7-2 - Tulsa Drillers
- Prince Homers Twice to Lead 'Riders in Slugfest - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Lose 6-5 on Walk-Off Homer - Springfield Cardinals
- Roughriders' Home Runs Top Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, May 26 vs. Springfield - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Wild Walk-Off Winner - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Win in 12 Innings 4-3 - Frisco RoughRiders
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