Williamson, Molleken Pitch Tulsa Past Naturals
Published on July 28, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Carrying a four-game losing streak into Thursday's meeting with Northwest Arkansas, the Tulsa Drillers were in need of a big performance, and they got it from pitchers Joey Williamson and Dustin Molleken. The two right-handers combined to shut out the Naturals over the first eight innings, surrendering only a pair of singles, to lead the Drillers to a much-needed 5-1 victory at Arvest Ballpark.
Williamson, who had made only 4 starts in 17 previous appearances this season for Tulsa, was outstanding. He retired the Naturals' first seven hitters, including four on strikeouts, before hitting Rey Navarro with a pitch with one out in the bottom of the third. A strikeout and caught stealing double play ended the inning with Williamson facing the minimum nine batters through three innings.
In the fourth, he allowed his first hit, a one out single to Christian Colon, before getting a pair of fly ball outs.
Williamson departed after the fourth because he had reached his pitch limit, but Molleken came on in relief and matched the starter's performance. In four innings of his own, he only surrendered a one-out single in the sixth. Molleken walked one batter and struck out three.
Offensively, Brian Rike staked Williamson to an early lead with a two-run homer in the top of the second. Mike Zuanich added a solo home run in the fourth that cleared the centerfield fence to give the Drillers a 3-0 cushion.
Tulsa was gifted a pair of unearned runs in the sixth inning to increase the margin to 5-0. With two outs and the bases empty, Tommy Field reached when Navarro mishandled his ground ball to third. After Zuanich singled, Rike brought both runners home with a double into the gap in left-center field.
Rike finished the game 2-4 with four runs batted in, while Zuanich was a perfect 3-3. The homer for Zuanich was his first at the Double A level.
Holding the 5-0 lead, the Drillers still had to survive a scary bottom of the ninth inning. Derrick Robinson opened the ninth with leadoff single off Stephen Dodson and then stole second base before Colon fouled out. After Wil Myers brought Robinson home with a base hit, Dodson walked the next two hitters to bring the potential tying run to the plate.
Tulsa manager Duane Espey turned to lefthander Joe Torres who struck out Anthony Seratelli for the second out of the inning.
Espy again went to the bullpen, calling on closer Daniel Turpen. Turpen retired Manuel Pina on a bouncer to third to end the game and collect his eighth save of the year.
Willamson reached his pitch limit before working the mandatory five innings to collect the win, with Molleken instead getting the victory to improve his record to 3-1.
The win moved Tulsa to within two games of the first place Naturals in the North Division standings.
The Drillers will remain in the state of Arkansas but will travel to Little Rock to begin a four-game series with the Travelers Friday night. Dan Houston (2-2, 4.10 ERA) will pitch the opener for Tulsa against Texas League ERA leader Matt Shoemaker (9-2, 2.22 ERA) of the Travelers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10PM at Dickey-Stephens Park.
Texas League Stories from July 28, 2011
- Travs Swept By Cardinals - Arkansas Travelers
- Frisco Loses Rubber Game 4-2 to Midland - Frisco RoughRiders
- Williamson, Molleken Pitch Tulsa Past Naturals - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Manage to Avoid Sweep Thursday - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cardinals Complete Sweep of Travelers, Win 12-6 - Ozarks Springbirds
- Game Notes, July 28 - San Antonio at Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Return Home for Seven Games Starting Friday - Arkansas Travelers
- Royals Farm Report: July 28th - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Back at ONEOK Field August 2-8 - Tulsa Drillers
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