Drillers Closeout Wild Game with 14-13 Win

Originally Published: May 26, 2011 9:27 AM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff
MIDLAND, Texas—The Tulsa Drillers mounted a big comeback Wednesday to come out with a 14-13 win over the Midland Rockhounds.

Despite committing six errors and tallying two fewer hits than Midland, the Drillers made the most of their at bats to overcome the mistakes throughout the game. Impressively enough, Brian Rike had three RBI as well as a home run for the Drillers to help get that win.

The game lead off with Tulsa's Tim Wheeler being hit by a pitch from Rockhounds starter Polin Trinidad. One batter later, Ben Paulsen then singled to right, followed by a Darin Holcomb walk to load the bases. Catcher Wilin Rosario then smacked a line drive to right that skipped pass the right fielder allowing all three runs to score. Scott Beerer would follow with a sacrifice fly to left field scoring the fourth and final run of the inning.

The bottom of the seventh saw even more runs for Midland as the Rockhounds managed four hits, two walks, and seven runs in the inning. But it was the three Drillers errors that would continue the inning and allow Midland to stretch the lead to 7-4.

The second frame saw Midland add three more runs on three hits, one walk, and yet another fielding error by Tulsa. Driller reliever Keith Weiser would eventually come into pitch in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the third the game got even more interesting. After a Ben Paulsen strike out, Darin Holcomb would double then advance to third on a ground out. While Scott Beerer was batting, Rockhounds starter Polin Trinidad balked in Holcomb for the first run of the inning.

Beerer would eventually reach base on a wild pitch strikeout. A Mike Mitchell walk, followed by a Brian Rike homer would bring the Drillers within two as the score stood at 10-8 after the top of the third.

The Rockhounds added a run in the bottom of the third making the score 11-8.
Tim Wheeler led off the inning with a walk and the proceeded to steal second base but it was to no avail as Gomez would come up and crush a no-doubt home run to right field.

A fielding error by Thomas Field would lead to a Rockhounds unearned run in the bottom of the fourth giving Midland a 12-10 lead after four.

The Drillers snuck back into the game again with a two run fifth inning. A Gomez ground out, along with a throwing error would cause the damage. Rike and Field would both come around to score on the play tying the game up going into the bottom of the fifth.

The Drillers took the lead for good in the top of the seventh. Beerer, Rike, and Wheeler all had base hits in the inning and helped the Drillers score two runs and take a 14-13 lead over the Rockhounds.

Adam Jorgenson would put his recent struggles behind him as the Tulsa closer worked a one-two-three ninth inning that sealed a much needed victory.Friedrich pitched one and two thirds inning with seven hits, ten runs, three walks and one strikeout.

Pitcher Juan Nicasio has been called up to the Colorado Rockies and is expected to make his debut Saturday. Pitcher Joey Williamson has also been called up to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

The Drillers will take on Midland again Thursday at 7:05 p.m. and Tulsa will send Cory Riordan (1-4, 5.05) to the mound as the Rockhounds will give the ball to Ethan Hollingsworth (2-2, 4.14).