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Tulsa Drillers

Tulsa Effort Falls Short

July 25, 2007 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


Wednesday evening, one night after posting an emotional victory, the Tulsa Drillers turned in another spirited effort. Twice the Drillers overcame deficits to take leads over the Wichita Wranglers. But, it was the Wranglers that struck last, breaking a 6-6 tie with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat Tulsa 8-6.

The game-deciding eighth began when Adam Greenberg drew a leadoff walk against Jarrett Grube. Geraldo Valentin attempted to sacrifice Greenberg into scoring position, and the Drillers let his bunt roll in hopes that it would go foul. When it stayed fair, the Wranglers had runners at first and second. After Mike Stodolka struck out, Jorge Padilla produced what proved to be the game-winning hit when he doubled to left to bring home both Greenberg and Valentin.

The Drillers lost despite out-hitting the Wranglers 11-10. Wichita took advantage of seven walks issued by Tulsa starter Samuel Deduno.

Rick Guarno led the Drillers with three hits.

Wichita had broken on top in the game with a pair of runs in the second inning off Deduno.

It remained 2-0 until the top of the fourth when the Drillers scored three times. With one out, Jordan Czarniecki extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a bunt single that struck the third base bag. An error and strikeout put runners at first and second for Duke Sardinha. Sardinha delivered the big two-out with a lined double into right-center field that tied the game. Guarno followed with another double to put Tulsa in front 3-2.

Deduno retired the first two hitters in the bottom of the fourth before three straight hits put the Wranglers back in front. Both runs came home on a triple by Adam Greenberg.

It did not take the Drillers long to respond as Matt Macri doubled to lead off the fifth and then scored on a base hit by Christian Colonel. After Aaron Rifkin flied out, former Drillers hurler Tim Bausher replaced Wichita starter Dusty Hughes. Czarniecki greeted Bausher with his ninth homer of the year to give Tulsa a 6-4 lead.

The Wranglers cut the lead to one in the bottom of the fifth without the benefit of a hit as a pair of walks and a wild pitch from Deduno made it 6-5.

Wichita tied the game in the sixth. Onil Joseph singled off reliever Jentry Beckstead and then advanced to third thanks to a wild pitch and a hit. Joseph came home when Stodolka delivered a sacrifice fly off Adam Bright.

In a strange schedule quirk, the Drillers now return to North Little Rock to begin a four-game series against the Arkansas Travelers Thursday night. Dickey-Stephens Stadium was the scene of the tragic accident involving Tulsa coach Mike Coolbaugh Sunday night.

Sean Thompson, who has spent most of this season with the San Antonio Missions, will make his second start for Tulsa in Thursday's opener. Thompson lost his first start for the Drillers last week and is 4-8 with a 4.08 ERA in the Texas League this season. Arkansas will counter with Brok Butcher (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who will be making his third Texas League start.

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Texas League Stories from July 25, 2007


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