Corpus Christi, TX – After miscues hurt the Tulsa Drillers on Saturday, they took advantage of mistakes from the Corpus Christi Hooks on Sunday evening to earn a series-finale victory. The Drillers benefited from two errors, a wild pitch, and a hit batter to help score six runs, and combined with a great start from Patrick Copen, they defeated the Hooks 6-2 at Whataburger Field.
The result gave Tulsa three wins in the final four games of the six-game series, and gave a split in the series. The two teams also split their season series with six wins each.
More importantly, the victory moved the Drillers to within two games of first-place Springfield in the Texas League’s second-half, North Division standings.
For the first time in the six-game series, the Hooks produced the game’s first run. In the bottom of the second inning, leadoff hitter Tyler Whitaker was hit by a pitch and reached third base after he stole second and advanced on a throwing error. Chase Call plated Whitaker with a sacrifice fly to put the Hooks up 1-0.
Tulsa responded by scoring two runs in the top of the third to take the lead. Kole Myers began the inning with a single, and a throwing error and a fielding error allowed Myers to score and tie the game. Josue De Paula accounted for the second run with a single that scored Taylor Young to put the Drillers in front 2-1.
Tulsa added to its lead in the fifth. On the second pitch of the inning, Myers thought he had been hit in the foot by a pitch, but the home plate umpire disagreed, keeping the outfielder at the plate. It worked to Tulsa’s advantage as on the very next pitch, Myers hit an opposite-field, solo home run to give Tulsa its third run.
Copen had another good outing on Sunday evening, exiting the game after five innings. He allowed just two hits and was charged with one unearned run while striking out seven.
Tulsa padded its lead in the seventh by taking advantage of more mistakes. The inning began with Frank Rodriguez being hit by a pitch. Two walks followed to load the bases, and a wild pitch allowed the Drillers to score their fourth run. De Paula supplied the final two runs with an opposite-field double that plated two more runs and put Tulsa in front 6-1.
Corpus Christi scored a final run in the eighth inning when a double, a passed ball and a balk scored Will Bush.
Kelvin Ramirez entered in the ninth inning to seal the win for Tulsa by tossing a perfect frame.
GAME NOTES
*Copen picked up the win to even his record at 6-6. He finished his two outings this week against the Hooks by not allowing an earned run in 8 2/3 innings pitched. He gave up a combined three hits and struck out 15.
*Myers’ homer was his fourth with Tulsa this season. The blast was the Drillers 29th in the last 12 games, the second most in Double A in that span.
*Both of the Hooks runs were unearned.
*Christian Suarez and Cam Day also did not allow an earned run and combined for five strikeouts.
*De Paula and Myers led the Drillers offense in the win. The duo finished with two hits each, with De Paula driving in three runs and Myers scoring three times.
*Tulsa pitchers combined to limit the Hooks to just 13 total hits over the final three games of the series.
UP NEXT
The Drillers now return to ONEOK Field to begin their longest home stand of the season. Tulsa will face the Arkansas Travelers in a six-game series to begin the 12-game home stand with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. for Tuesday’s opener. Neither team has announced pitching plans for the series.