Wipke's Sacrifice Fly Keys Tuesday's Win
Published on April 28, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - Flint Wipke hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to drive in Patrick Breen as the Arkansas Travelers picked up their third win in four games with a 2-1 victory over the Tulsa Drillers on Tuesday night at Drillers Stadium. Three Arkansas pitchers held Tulsa to six base hits with right hander Amalio Diaz earning a no-decision in his longest outing of the year. Right hander Chad Blackwell (1-0) earned his first double-A win with a perfect eighth inning, and right hander David Herndon (3) pitching around two ninth inning base hits for the save.
Shortstop Wil Ortiz and first baseman Mark Trumbo each collected two base hits to lead the Travelers. Ortiz also doubled, scored a run and advanced the winning run into scoring position with a ninth inning sacrifice bunt.
Diaz and Tulsa left hander Keith Weiser matched up in a strong pitcher's duel, and no runs were scored until the fifth inning.
Diaz allowed leadoff doubles in the second and third innings, but left a runner at third base each time. Weiser set down 13 of the first 16 batters he faced.
Tulsa right fielder Daniel Carte walked to begin the fifth inning and designated hitter Mike Paulk followed with a high chopper that bounced over Trumbo's head and down the first-base line. Carte got to third base on Paulk's double and scored when Daniel Mayora hit a sacrifice fly to left field.
Weiser allowed only four base runners in his 6.2 innings pitched and was working on a string of eight straight outs when Ortiz laced a two-out double in the seventh. Nate Sutton then grounded past the mound and into shallow centerfield to score Ortiz tying the game at 1-1.
Diaz allowed Cole Garner's one-out single in the bottom of the seventh, and Garner stole second base with two outs, but Diaz got Paulk to bounce to second base to end the inning.
Tulsa lefty Adam Bright (0-1) replaced Jonathon George with two outs in the eighth inning and nobody on base. He issued a walk to Mount and allowed a single by Trumbo, but Ben Johnson flied out.
Bright came back for the ninth and walked Breen to begin the inning. Ortiz sacrificed Breen to second base bringing Sutton to the plate and he took three balls outside from Bright. The fourth pitch was a fastball inside that glanced off catcher Mike McKenry's glove wildly moving Breen to third. Tom Baumgartner was summoned from the bullpen and allowed Wipke's sacrifice fly to left field which was just deep enough to score Breen for a 2-1 Travs lead.
Tulsa caught a couple of breaks in the ninth inning on wild throws by Travs infielders to get the potential winning runs on base. Herndon retired Jeff Kindel on a groundout before Darin Holcomb bounced just to the left of second base where Ortiz fielded the ball. His throw bounced to first where Trumbo was unable to scoop it. Holcomb was awarded a base hit, and that was followed by a clean single to left by McKenry.
Garner hit an apparent double play ball to shortstop, but second baseman Ryan Mount's throw forced Trumbo off first base allowed the tying run to advance to third. Herndon settled down and got Carte to bounce back to the pitcher to save the game.
Time of game was 2:44 and the paid attendance was 2,368.
The third game of the series is set for Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Arkansas has left hander Michael Anton (0-2, 4.80) scheduled to go against Drillers righty Esmil Rogers (0-1, 5.14).
Texas League Stories from April 28, 2009
- Missions Rally to Beat 'Riders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Diaz Outduels Weiser, Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Texas League Update - TL1
- Wipke's Sacrifice Fly Keys Tuesday's Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals Take Second Straight Over Cards - Springfield Cardinals
- Total Turnaround - San Antonio Missions
- RockHounds Take Series Opener 7-5 - Corpus Christi Hooks
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