Drillers Fall to Hooks

The Tulsa Drillers lost a second straight game in Corpus Christi Friday night, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Hooks. But, in many ways, the game seemed like anything but a loss for the Drillers.

Corpus Christi owns the best record in the Texas League and in Friday night's series finale, it had the benefit of having major league veteran Scott Feldman on the mound. The Houston Astros right-hander was making an injury rehabilitation start for the Hooks.

Tulsa starter Jose De Leon matched Feldman through the first four innings. The game was scoreless entering the fifth before the Drillers finally opened the scoring. Peter Lavin led off the fifth with a triple against Feldman. Brian Burgamy followed with a sacrifice fly to put Tulsa in front 1-0.

The Hooks used a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth to move in front.   With two outs and the base empty, De Leon walked Danry Vasquez, and Brett Booth followed with his third home run of the season to give Corpus Christi a 2-1 lead.

Colin Moran provided another long ball to increase the margin to two runs. Moran opened the bottom of the sixth with his first homer of the year to put the Hooks in front 3-1.

Hooks' reliever Chris Devenski came on for Feldman in the top of the sixth, and he held the Drillers scoreless over the next three innings.

But, Tulsa made things very interesting in the ninth. With two outs and the bases empty, Lavin delivered his fifth home run of the year to cut the margin to 3-2.

After the homer, Burgamy and Lars Anderson put the potential tying and game-winning runs on base with consecutive singles. With runners at first and third, Devenski recovered to strike out Jarek Cunningham and end Tulsa's comeback hopes.

It was a frustrating loss for the Drillers as they out-hit the Hooks 10-5.

De Leon's record fell to 2-4 with the tough-luck loss. The right-hander worked six innings, allowing the three runs on only four hits. He issued two walks while striking out ten.

Feldman was credited with the victory, surrendering six hits, two walks and the one run in five innings of work.

The Drillers now move to San Antonio to open a four-game series with the Missions. The series will begin with a doubleheader Saturday night. Chris Anderson (8-4, 3.31 ERA) will pitch game one for the Drillers against Justin Hancock (6-5, 3.27 ERA) of the Missions. First pitch for the opener is slated for 6:05PM.