Drillers Fall In Pitching Duel

The Tulsa Drillers returned to action Wednesday night following the Texas League All-Star break, and they got one of their best pitching performances of the season.  Yet, it was not enough to secure a victory.  In a game that was scoreless through nine innings, the San Antonio Missions finally pushed across a run in the top of the tenth and posted a 1-0 victory at ONEOK Field.

The defeat ended Tulsa's three-game winning streak and dropped its second-half record to 3-4.  It was the sixth time this season that the Drillers have been shutout.

The winning rally began with a one-out single by San Antonio left fielder Yeison Asencio off Tulsa reliever Cole White.  After a walk put runners at first and second, pinch-hitter Reymond Fuentes doubled just over the outstretched glove of a pursuing Jared Simon, plating Asencio with the game's only run.

The Missions were unable to add to their lead on a failed squeeze bunt attempt, before Adam Buschini popped out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the tenth, Missions' reliever Frank Garces set Tulsa down in order to close out the contest.  It was the sixth save of the year for Garces.

Drillers' starting pitcher Tyler Anderson failed to get a victory, but he pitched brilliantly.  He breezed through 6 2/3 shutout innings before reaching his pitch limit, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out eight.  The first hit against Anderson did not come until the fifth inning when Asencio had an infield single.  The 6 2/3 innings were a season high for the lefthander, as were his 83 pitches.

San Antonio starter Bryce Morrow was also impressive, surrendering only three hits in seven shutout innings.  Morrow walked one batter and struck out six.

Tulsa reliever Ken Roberts retired all four batters he faced.

Adys Portillo picked up the win for the Missions by working a scoreless ninth inning.

The game featured only nine total hits and took only 2 hours and 32 minutes to complete.

The Drillers record in extra innings fell to 4-3 with the defeat.