Tulsa Uses Big Eighth Inning to Mount Comeback Win

The Drillers won 6-5 to avoid a series sweep against Springfield.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:54 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa Uses Big Eighth Inning to Mount Comeback Win

Originally Published: Aug 9, 2010 10:13 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- For the first time in its four-game series with the Springfield Cardinals, the Tulsa Drillers were the ones to jump out to an early lead.

But it was their offense at the end of the game that finally got them a victory.

Springfield had jumped out to a first-inning lead in each of its past three games with the Drillers, but this time it was Tulsa’s Jason Van Kooten who homered in the first to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Outfielder Scott Beerer added another run on a line drive single, scoring fellow outfielder Jeff Kindel.

But the Cardinals looked poised to take control in the seventh as Tulsa pitcher Keith Weiser gave up back-to-back home runs to Springfield’s Steven Hill and Andrew Brown.

Cardinal third baseman Matt Carpenter added an RBI in the top of the eighth to put Springfield up 5-2.

Just when a fourth-straight loss seemed imminent, Tulsa’s bats came alive for what seemed like the first time all series.

First baseman Kiel Roling started off the bottom of the eighth with a home run to right field. Catcher Lars Davis added an RBI on a single to center, and third baseman Matt Repec doubled to score two for the Drillers and give them the 6-5 edge.

The win moves Tulsa back into second place in the North division, after three straight losses brought them even with Springfield for third in the standings.

Tulsa used four pitchers but Adam Jorgenson got the win and Stuart Pomeranz the save. Scott McGregor picked up the loss for the Cardinals.

The Drillers will now take a day off before heading to Midland on Wednesday to take on the RockHounds at 6:30 p.m.