Midland Shuts Out Drillers

The Midland RockHounds evened the series with Tulsa Wednesday night as the Drillers were shut out 3-0.

Despite having the leadoff man reach base in five innings, RockHounds pitching was able to keep Tulsa from ever coming home.

On the other side of the ball, critical defensive miscues had a part in all three of Midland's runs.

Tulsa starter Carlos Hernandez gave up the three runs in the game, but none were earned. Hernandez finished the evening with eight hits and no walks over six innings of work. He also struck out four.

The Hounds struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Hernandez forced the first batter, Kent Matthes, to pop up in foul territory, but catcher Chris O'Dowd was unable to complete the catch. Two pitches later, Matthes made the Drillers pay for the missed opportunity. He launched his second home run in as many nights over the left field wall to put Midland up 1-0.

Later in the inning, Dusty Coleman doubled to center field and scored Max Muncy from first, doubling the RockHounds lead to 2-0.

Midland scored the only other run in the game in the sixth inning, again in part due to another Tulsa error. Muncy hit a two-out double and moved to third on a single from Kenny Wilson. Hernandez then forced Coleman to ground out to third base for what would have been the final out of the inning. However, Jayson Langfels' throw to first missed first baseman Ryan Casteel, allowing Muncy to score.

RockHounds starter Nate Long picked up his league leading 11th win in the outing by holding Tulsa scoreless over 6.2 innings of work.

O'Dowd and Brian Humphries led the Drillers with two hits apiece, accounting for more than half of Tulsa's seven hits.

The Drillers will look to win their last game in Midland of the season Thursday night, and will have a great chance to do so. Tyler Anderson (4-4, 2.10 ERA), who has not allowed a run in his previous four starts (23 innings) will get the ball for the Drillers and face Midland's Drew Granier (7-4, 3.65 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.