Tulsa World: Drillers top Frisco, Kinsler

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Drillers top Frisco, Kinsler

Tulsa’s Daniel Carte is thrown out at second base as Frisco’s Ian Kinsler looks to throw to first baseduring the Drillers’ 10-9 win Wednesday at Drillers Stadium. Kinsler, of the Texas Rangers, is on aninjury rehab assignment with the RoughRiders. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World

By DUANE DAPRON World Correspondent
Published: 8/13/2009 3:37 AM
Last Modified: 8/13/2009 10:48 AM

Despite facing a Frisco lineup that featured Texas Rangers All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler, Tulsa didn't flinch.

Kinsler, on a rehab assignment, scored the game's first run and reached base twice, but Ryan Harvey belted his 18th homer and drove in four runs to help Tulsa to a big early lead before eking out a 10-9 victory Wednesday night at Drillers Stadium.

The victory opened a key six-game homestand and kept Tulsa (25-20 second half, 63-52 overall) within striking distance of Texas League North Division leader Northwest Arkansas. The Drillers are two games behind the Naturals, who defeated Midland 5-1 on Wednesday.

Kinsler, in his fourth season with the Rangers, is scheduled to be in Tulsa for two games to rehabilitate a strained hamstring after being placed on the disabled list on July 29.

Kinsler, who has 23 homers and 73 RBI while hitting .242 this season for Texas, hopes to return to action when the Rangers open a homestand Friday against Boston.

"It was nice to get back on the field," said the University of Missouri product, who appeared in last year's MLB All-Star Game.

"I just want to get comfortable and get in some at bats so I can make sure my timing is back at the plate."

Kinsler played at Drillers Stadium when he was with the RoughRiders during Frisco's run to the Texas League title in 2004.

"I have pretty good memories of this ballpark," Kinsler said. "We came in here and swept the Drillers in the first round of the playoffs in 2004. We had a real good club that year. It's nice to come back and retrace your steps."

Kinsler helped stake Frisco (23-22 second half, 56-59 overall) to a 1-0 lead. He led off the game by being hit by the third pitch from Tulsa starter Samuel Deduno (11-2). After a pair of walks loaded the bases, he trotted home on a double-play grounder.

But Tulsa took over from there, building a 10-3 lead.

Harvey, who had three of Tulsa's 15 hits, stroked a two-run double to key a three-run first inning against Frisco starter Martin Perez, currently the youngest player in Double-A at age 18 and making his Texas League debut.

Harvey's two-run homer ignited a three-run third inning, giving the Drillers a 6-2 lead. The rightfielder leads the team in homers and RBI (66).

Jeff Kindel, who also had three hits, added a two-run homer — his sixth of the season, in the sixth inning.

Tulsa took a 10-4 lead into the ninth inning but the RoughRiders rallied for five runs, the final two on Adam Fox's 15th homer of the year, off reliever Andrew Johnston to close within 10-9.

Adam Bright came on to get the final out for Tulsa to earn his first save.

Drillers Update

Thursday

What: Frisco RoughRiders vs. Tulsa Drillers

Where: Drillers Stadium, 15th Street and Yale Avenue

When: 7:05 p.m.

Broadcast: KTBZ am1430

Season series: Tulsa leads 5-2

Probable pitchers: Tulsa — Brandon Durden (LHP 6-2, 2.75 ERA); Frisco — Kasey Kiker (LHP 7-6, 3.50 ERA)

Promotions: Dallas Cowboys Night/Thirsty Thursday. Fans will have a chance to win Dallas Cowboys merchandise and a trip to a Cowboys game this season. For Thirsty Thursday, pay just $1 each for 12-ounce servings of Miller Lite and 16-ounce soft drinks.

Home attendance comparison (56 dates): 2009: 253,337; 2008: 251,188

Dates left at Drillers Stadium: 12

On deck: Friday, vs. Frisco, 7:05 p.m.

Driller bits

Garner, Rundgren keep streaks alive: Cole Garner's RBI double in the first inning extended his hitting streak to 14 games, tops on the team this season. Meanwhile, Rex Rundgren upped his hitting streak to eight games with an infield single to lead off the first.

Harvey on streak: Ryan Harvey's two-run homer was his fourth in his last eight games at Drillers Stadium. Harvey had three home runs in Tulsa's previous seven-game homestand.

Durden makes most of return: Brandon Durden, who is scheduled to start Thursday, has made his presence known since being recalled from Modesto a second time this season. In six starts, the left-hander is 5-0 while allowing eight earned runs in 40.1 innings for a 1.79 ERA. By DUANE DAPRON World Correspondent

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