Tulsa: 4-1 L (0-2)
Tulsa lost game two of their playoff series 4-1 on Thursday. The game was knotted at one through eight innings, as both teams failed to separate themselves. It wasn't until the top of the ninth when Tulsa reliever Cole White gave up a two out three-run home run to Cyle Hankard that the game was decided.
Tyler Matzek started and pitched well, he threw six innings allowing just one run on seven hits. If it wasn't for a fifth inning lead off home run for Arkansas, Matzek's night would have been scoreless. He was followed by reliever Dan Houston who threw two scoreless innings to keep Tulsa tied, but the offense couldn't break through.
Tulsa was led on offense by Kiel Roling's RBI double in the first inning, but they managed just six hits on the game and were just 1-for-5 with RISP. Tulsa looks to get back in the series tomorrow at 6:10 MT as Eddie Butler takes the hill.
Modesto: 3-2 L F/12 (0-2)
Modesto was eliminated Thursday night after losing a thriller in 12 innings. Will Swanner's bottom of the ninth inning solo blast, which tied the game at two, wasn't enough to propel Modesto to victory.
Starter Chris Jensen gave up two runs in five innings of work, he struck out seven. Nelson Gonzalez, Kraig Sitton, Scott Oberg, and Bruce Kern all pitched at least one scoreless inning to keep the game tied. It was Patrick Johnson who finally surrendered the lead in his second inning of work and Modesto failed to rally in the bottom of the 12th.
Modesto had trouble producing the big hit on a night when they pushed across just two runs. Matt Wessinger was 3-for-5 with a double and Brian Humphries was 2-for-5. Other then Swanner's tater, the Nuts had a hard time scoring and it was all she wrote for Modesto.
Grand Junction: 5-4 L (33-40)
Jose Briceno's ninth inning three-run home run wasn't enough for GJ to come back on Thursday.
Starter Joel Payamps gave up four runs in 3.2 innings of work before being relieved be Helmis Rodriguez. Rodriguez went 3.1 innings without surrendering a run. William Waltrip gave up the fifth and final run which proved to be one too many for GJ to overcome.
Other then Briceno's home run, Zach Osborne was the only one to do much on offense as he went 2-for-4 with a double.