Corpus Christi, TX – The Tulsa Drillers entered Saturday night’s game in Corpus Christi with a chance to claim a third straight win in the series with the Hooks. For the fifth straight game, the Drillers took a lead, scoring the game’s first run in the second inning, but it would be their only run of the game. A misplayed fly ball and a pair of wild pitches helped the Hooks to break a tie game and hand the Drillers a 3-1 loss at Whataburger Field.
Corpus Christi now holds a 3-2 lead in the six-game series with the finale set for late on Sunday afternoon.
Despite the disappointing loss, Tulsa remained just three games behind first-place Springfield in the second-half standings of the Texas League’s North Division. The Cardinals lost 3-2 in San Antonio.
As they have done in every game of the series, the Drillers took an initial 1-0 lead in Saturday’s matchup. The game’s first run came in the top of the second inning when Jake Gelof drew a leadoff walk, moved to third on a base hit from Elijah Hainline and scored on a sacrifice fly by Nelson Quiroz.
Pitcher Luke Fox was activated from the injured list prior to the game and made the start on the mound for the Drillers, his first appearance since April 19.
Fox set the Hooks down in order in both the first and second innings. The lefthander retired the first batter in the bottom of the third before Max Holy tied the game with a solo homer run, his second homer of the series.
The Hooks went in front in the fourth inning when the Drillers gifted them a run. Reliever Myles Caba set down the first two hitters of the inning before issuing a two-out walk to Will Bush. With Bush at first, Jason Schiavone hit a high pop up into shallow left field. Leftfielder Josue De Paula came in to make the inning-ending catch but misjudged it, allowing it to fall safely. Bush was running on contact and scored on the miscue that was generously ruled a double.
The Hooks increased the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, and again the Drillers provided help. Yamal Encarnacion led off with a single against Aidan Foeller. Encarnacion stole second base, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on another wild pitch from Foeller.
The Hooks tried to provide their own charity in the top of the eighth inning, but the Drillers did not take advantage. Reliever Amilcar Chirinos issued three straight walks to load the bases with one out. Quiroz followed and bounced a grounder up the middle that shortstop Alberto Hernandez fielded a step from the second base bag. Hernandez stepped on second and threw to first to complete an inning-ending double play.
It would be Tulsa’s final scoring opportunity of the night. Hooks’ reliever Trey Mancini set the Drillers down in order in the ninth on a ground out and a pair of strikeouts.
The Drillers out-hit the Hooks 4-3 in the game, and one of the hits from the Hooks could have easily been an inning-ending fly out. Tulsa was unable to capitalize on seven walks issued by Corpus Christi pitchers and stranded eight runners on base.
In comparison, the Hooks stranded just one runner.
GAME NOTESs
*Four Tulsa pitcher combined to hold the Hooks to the three hits. Fox allowed one run on one hit in his three-inning start. He did not issue a walk and struck out two batters. He has a 2.38 ERA this season in five starts and 22 2/3 inning pitched.
*Caba was tagged with the tough-luck loss, dropping his record to 3-2. Caba worked just one inning and was officially charged with one earned run on one hit and one walk while striking out two.
*Foeller gave up one run on one hit and one walk in three relief innings. He was hampered by the two wild pitches.
*Jacob Kmatz worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning, recording one strikeout. It was his second scoreless inning in two appearances since joining the Drillers.
*Hainline was the only player in the game with more than one hit, finishing 2-3 on the night.
*Taylor Young was 1-4, extending his hitting streak to six straight game.
UP NEXT
The Drillers will close out their six-game series in Corpus Christi on Sunday night. Starting time at Whataburger Field is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. and the pitching matchup is expected to be:
Tulsa – RHP Patrick Copen (5-6, 6.78 ERA)
Corpus Christi– RHP James Hicks (5-6, 4.96 ERA)