Drillers win third straight at ONEOK Field
The Tulsa Drillers battled back from a three-run deficit Wednesday morning, utilizing a five-run fourth inning rally to defeat the Arkansas Travelers 8-4 before nearly 5,000 school kids at ONEOK Field. After Arkansas took a 4-1 lead in the top of the fourth, Tulsa's bats suddenly came to life in the bottom half of the inning, as they accumulated six hits including two doubles and a triple. The offensive outpouring chased Travelers' pitcher Ryan Brasier, who six days earlier threw a complete-game no-hitter against the Drillers in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Kiel Roling started the rally for the Drillers, singling to center field. Dayton Buller then blasted a hopper down the third base line for a double while Roling managed to score from first base. Buller scored on the next at bat when Jason Van Kooten doubled to left field, cutting the deficit to one run.
Radames Nazario kept the offensive output going on the next at bat, hitting a single to right field that scored Van Kooten and tied the game. Brasier was replaced by Amalio Diaz after Anthony Jackson smacked a line drive to right field that came to rest in the corner, scoring Nazario. Jackson later scored on a Jeff Kindel single to left field, giving the Drillers a 6-4 lead heading into the top of the fifth inning.
Van Kooten would provide two insurance runs in the top of the eighth when with Buller on first, he belted a shot over the left field wall and into the terrace seats for his third home run of the year.
Andy Graham (2-0) picked up the win for Tulsa, as he provided 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of Ching Lung Lo. Stu Pomeranz earned his first save of the year, retiring all six batters he faced.
After winning just two of their first 10 games at ONEOK Field, the Drillers have reeled off three-straight home wins. They will look to sweep this three-game set with the Travelers Thursday night when Colorado Rockies ace Jeff Francis makes a rehab start for Tulsa at 7:05 p.m. at ONEOK Field. Francis missed the entire 2009 season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Francis posted a 13-1 record and a 1.94 ERA in his last stint with the Drillers in 2004, earning Minor League Player of the Year honors. His team-leading 17 regular-season wins in 2007 led the Rockies to the National League Pennant. The Vancouver, Canada native has 51 wins through five major league seasons.
After a rare day off on Friday night, the Drillers get back to action Saturday night as they start a four-game home stand with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Tickets for any upcoming game can be purchased at the ONEOK Field box office, or online at the Tulsa Drillers website.
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W: Graham (2-0, 10.12) L: Brasier (2-2, 4.82) HR: TUL: Van Kooten (3)