TULSA - Tulsa's Esmil Rogers is quietly becoming one of the Texas League's elite pitchers. Since surrendering six runs in his first start of the season, the 23-year-old right-hander has been fantastic. His impressive run continued Wednesday night in Frisco with eight shutout innings as the Drillers blanked the RoughRiders 4-0.

Rogers has not allowed an earned run in four of his last six starts. In that stretch, he has compiled a 0.99 ERA. For the season, his ERA stands at 2.56.
The Drillers gave Rogers the only run he needed in the top of the third inning. Daniel Carte led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Rex Rundgren. After a walk and a ground out, Carte raced home with the game's first run when Frisco starting pitcher Kasey Kiker uncorked a wild pitch.
It remained 1-0 until the seventh inning when the Drillers added a pair of runs. Mike McKenry walked and Darin Holcomb singled in front of a two-run double by Rex Rundgren.
The fourth and final run came in the eighth as Daniel Mayora led off with a single. Three walks, the final one to Carte, forced in Mayora to make it 4-0.

Tommy Baumgardner relieved Rogers to start the ninth inning. He allowed a two-out double before retiring John Whittleman on a fly out to complete the shutout.
The Drillers and Riders will continue their series Thursday night at 7:00PM. Brandon Durden will make his second start of the season for Tulsa while Frisco will send Michael Ballard to the mound.
NOTES:   Rogers and Kiker are now tied for the Texas League lead with 55 strikeouts each. . . .The Drillers matched a season high by moving four games above .500 with the victory. . . .Tulsa and Frisco have now met four times this season with each team winning twice.

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