Drillers Fall To San Antonio

The Tulsa Drillers home struggles continued Thursday night in a loss to San Antonio. The Missions used a big four-run second inning to defeat Tulsa 8-4. The loss was the fifth straight at ONEOK Field for the Drillers and dropped their second-half record to 3-5.

The night started positively for Tulsa. Starting pitcher Richard Castillo quickly set the Missions down in order in the top of the first inning, and the Drillers got on the scoreboard with a run in the bottom half of the inning. Tyler Massey led off with a base hit, stole second base and raced to third on catcher Austin Hedges' errant throw. Massey came home with the game's first run on a sacrifice fly by Cristhian Adames.

The lead did not last long as the Missions answered with their big second inning. With one out, Cody Overbeck started things with his second home run of the season to tie the game at 1-1.

After the homer, Hedges singled and Yeison Asencio doubled to put runners at second and third. Brian Bixler made it four straight hits with a single to centerfield that scored Hedges to give San Antonio the lead. Castillo struck out pitcher Josh Geer, but Reymond Fuentes cleared the bases with a two-out triple to right field that gave the Missions a 4-1 lead.

Tulsa got back in the game with single runs in both the third and fourth innings to cut the deficit to only one run. In the third, Castillo drew a walk and eventually scored on a throwing error by shortstop Bixler. Ryan Casteel led off the fourth with this team-leading 10th home run to make it 4-3.

Ryan Casteel blasted his team-leading 10th home run of the season Thursday night. (Rich Crimi)

Fuentes singled and scored on a double by Casey McElroy in the top of the fifth to increase the San Antonio lead to two runs.

The Missions then put the game out of reach with a three-run seventh inning. They loaded the bases against Castillo with a pair of hits and a walk. Ryan Arrowood relieved and forced home a run with another walk. A base hit and a sacrifice fly plated two more runs, giving San Antonio an 8-3 lead.

David Kandilas closed out the scoring with a solo home run for Tulsa in the bottom of the eighth. The Australian native has now homered in his past three games.

Fuentes enjoyed a big night for San Antonio, going 2-4 with 3 runs batted in. He was one of four Missions with two hits in the game.

Massey was the only Tulsa player with more than one hit, finishing 2-5.

Castillo's record fell to 2-7 with the loss, while Geer improved to 4-7 with his second straight win.

The Drillers will look to salvage the final game of their three-game series with the Missions Friday night at ONEOK Field. Carlos Hernandez (1-4, 2.72 ERA) is the scheduled starter for Tulsa, while Leonel Campos (0-2, 2.77 ERA) will pitch for San Antonio. Starting time is scheduled for 7:05PM in downtown Tulsa with a post-game Fireworks Show scheduled for after the game.