Drillers Hold Off Midland For Win

The Tulsa Drillers defeated the Midland RockHounds by a score of 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Security Bank Ballpark in Midland.

The game was the Drillers' 19th 1-run game of the season already, but only their seventh such win.

Tulsa starter Eddie Butler picked up his third win of the season on another very strong performance. Butler shutout the RockHounds over seven innings, allowing only five hits and one walk while striking out three.

The 2012 first-round draft pick has now not allowed an earned run in his last three starts. His last earned run came on May 6 against Springfield. He has since thrown 22.2 consecutive scoreless innings.

The Drillers scored the first run of the game in the top of the second inning. With two outs, Tyler Massey singled and promptly stole second base. Jared Simon was then able to bring Massey home on a liner to left field for a base hit.

Tulsa added a second run in the fourth inning on another two-out rally. After Jayson Langfels walkled, Massey launched a ball to deep left field for a double, scoring Langfels.

Midland made a late push in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Kraig Sitton walked Hiroyuki Nakajima, a routine grounder from Anthony Aliotti slipped through the legs of Langfels, putting runners on first and second. A single off the bat of Josh Whitaker loaded the bases, and Max Muncy scored Nakajima on a sac fly in the next at-bat, cutting the Drillers lead in half.

Scott Oberg came into the game in the ninth and was able to record his tenth save of the season, thanks in part to an outstanding diving play from Langfels, who redeemed his error an inning earlier.

The Drillers will close out their road trip Monday with a Memorial Day afternoon game at Security Bank Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.