Tulsa Tops Springfield with 11th-Inning Walkoff

The Drillers blew an early lead, but managed to win after two extra innings.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:21 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Tops Springfield with 11th-Inning Walkoff

Originally Published: Apr 22, 2011 11:47 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Tulsa Drillers grabbed its second-consecutive win over the Springfield Cardinals in an 11-inning, 7-6 win Friday.

With two outs on the board and the game tied 5-5 in the top of the tenth, Springfield’s (6-9) Jose Garcia stole base and in the same at-bat Thomas Pham hit a sacrifice fly to right field to take a one-run advantage in extras. However, Tim Wheeler hit a leadoff home run, his fifth of the season, to tie the game and force an 11th inning.

In bottom of the 11th inning, Wilin Rosario hit a line drive, leadoff single to center field to put the winning run on base. Two batters later, Mike Daniel reached on a force-out attempt, throwing error at first, allowing Rosario to score and win the game for the Drillers (8-7).

Tulsa’s Keith Weiser (1-0) received his first win for the outing, not allowing an earned run in his one inning of service. Casey Mulligan (0-1) not only blew his second save of the game, but was credited with a loss, giving up two hits and one earned run in his 1.1 inning pitched.

RBI doubles in the top of the first and the second gave Springfield a 2-0 lead, but Tulsa’s bats quickly woke up.

In the bottom of the second, Thomas Field came to bat with the bases loaded and knocked his third home run of the season over the left field wall for a grand slam, giving the Drillers a 4-2 advantage. Scott Beerer added another run in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to three runs.

The Cardinals responded with leadoff long balls in the fifth and six innings to close within one run, and a one-out homer to right field from Alex Castellanos tied the game in the top of the seventh.

Tulsa will attempt to make it three consecutive at 7:05 p.m. Saturday in the final game of its short, four-game home stand.