Rockies' Star Cuddyer Singles As Drillers Top Midland

Tulsa Drillers starting pitch Carlos Hernandez has enjoyed an outstanding season, but he has found victories difficult to come by. Tuesday night, Hernandez was unable to secure a win for himself but was able to help the Drillers to a victory over Midland in the opening game of a six-game homestand. The lefthander worked 6 .1 strong innings and Tulsa broke a late tie with a run in the eighth inning to record a 2-1 victory over the RockHounds at ONEOK Field.

The Drillers' lineup featured Colorado Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who joined the Drillers earlier in the day on an injury rehabilitation assignment as he recovers from a fractured shoulder. Cuddyer, who was the 2013 National League Batting Champion, had one single in four at-bats while playing in right field.

Hernandez, who entered the game with the third-best ERA in the Texas League but a sub .500 record at 4-6, allowed only 1 run on 5 hits and 1 walk in 6.1 innings of work against his former team. He picked up 4 strikeouts and was stuck with a no decision despite lowering his ERA to 2.71.

The only damage against Hernandez came early. Conner Crumbliss quickly put the RockHounds in front by hitting his 10th home run of the year with two-outs in the top of the first inning.

The Drillers answered in the bottom of the second. Ryan Casteel and Tyler Massey opened the inning with consecutive singles. After Trevor Story flied out, Brian Humphries grounded a single into right field that plated Casteel to tie the game at 1-1.

With runners at second and third and only one out, Tulsa missed a chance to take the lead. Midland starter Nate Long retired Jayson Langfels on strikes and Will Swanner on a ground out to keep the score tied.

The game remained tied for much of the night before Langfels made up for his earlier strikeout. In the bottom of the seventh, base hits from Massey and Humphries resulted in runners at first and third with one out. In a 1-2 hole, Langfels lined a pitch from Long into centerfield for a single that plated Massey to give the Drillers a 2-1 lead.

As in the second inning, Tulsa failed to take full advantage of its opportunity. After Will Swanner struck out, Chris O'Dowd drew a walk to load the bases. Midland reliever Deryk Hooker escaped the jam by getting an inning-ending grounder from Cuddyer.

The Drillers bullpen made sure the missed opportunities did not come back to haunt them. Ken Roberts allowed only 1 hit in 1 2/3 shutout innings, and Cole White worked a scoreless ninth to collect his 12th save.

Midland did get the tying run on base in the final inning when Blake Forsythe singled with one out. Chad Oberacker then hit a liner that second baseman Taylor Featherston reached high and caught on a backhand. Featherston quickly threw to first to double off Forsythe for a game-ending double play.