Ninth Inning Charge Lifts Frisco Past Tulsa Drillers

Originally Published: Jun 5, 2010 10:9 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Three runs in the ninth inning broke up a 4-4 tie and lifted the Frisco RoughRiders to a 7-4 win over the Tulsa Drillers in the first of a three-game set.

The damage was done off Drillers’ reliever Chris Malone, who was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in the ninth.

After getting the first out, Taylor Teagarden and Marcus Lemon each reached base on walks.

Frisco (33-21) followed that up with three straight hits from James Tomlin, Guilder Rodriguez and Renny Osuna to end the scoring.

Tulsa (22-31) initially evened the score in the seventh inning after a 4-1 deficit.

First baseman Kiel Rolling knocked a ground-rule double to score Scott Beerer and make the score 4-2. Then, Warren Schaeffer came through on a single to center, scoring Rolling and Bronson Sardinha.

Highly-touted Colorado Rockies prospect Christian Friedrich was efficient in his outing, scattering eight hits and three runs through six innings. He struck out three and employed excellent control, throwing 54-of-86 pitches for strikes and not allowing a walk.

Friedrich’s ERA sits at 4.72 on the year.

Still, Frisco’s offense was too much to handle, slapping 13 hits on the night, including a Joey Butler triple and a Teagarden double in the fourth inning, each of which plated runs.

After blowing his first save of the season, Beau Jones earned his first win with the Frisco comeback. Cody Eppley slammed the door in the ninth to earn his fourth save.