Corpus Christi Shuts Down Tulsa Bats In Shutout Win

Since rolling off five straight victories to close out their road trip through Texas last week, the Tulsa Drillers had dropped four straight games since returning home going into game two of their three-game series with the Corpus Christi Hooks. The Drillers' streaky ways continued on Sunday night.

After starter Sean Gallagher was scratched thirty minutes prior to the first pitch, Tulsa's bullpen performed admirably on short notice to keep its team within striking distance early. Dan Houston and Josh Mueller combined to allow three runs (one earned) on four hits through the first six innings, but once again, the Drillers were unable to get anything going offensively, as they fell to the Hooks 5-0 at ONEOK Field.

Tulsa's fifth consecutive loss dropped them to 41-44 overall and 7-10 in the second half.

Hooks' starter Nick Tropeano delivered six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and a walk while collecting six strikeouts to earn his third win of the year. Two more Corpus Christi relievers combined with him to hand Tulsa its ninth shutout of the season.

Houston went three innings giving up three runs (one earned) and was saddled with his sixth loss of the year.

After their ninth inning comeback win the night before, the Hooks didn't take long to take a lead on Sunday. After a passed ball moved runners to second and third with two outs in the top of the first inning, Saturday's hero Preston Tucker grounded a pitch to the right side that bounced out of Drillers first baseman Kiel Roling's glove for a two-run error.

From that point forward, Corpus Christi would extend its lead with the long ball.

Erik Castro added to the Hooks' lead with a solo shot in the third for his 10th homer of the year pushing the score to 3-0.

After Mueller tossed three scoreless innings in relief of Houston, Hooks' second baseman Enrique Hernandez greeted Drillers' reliever Mike Marbry with a solo home run in the seventh to extend Corpus Christi's advantage to four.

Jonathan Meyer connected for his 11th home run of the year, also of the solo variety, in the eighth inning off Marbry to bring the final score to 5-0.

The Drillers collected just four hits and left six men on base in the game.

Tulsa will wrap up its three-game series against Corpus Christi Monday night at ONEOK Field. Tulsa's Chad Bettis (2-3, 3.73 ERA) will make his second start since coming off the disabled list, while the Hooks will counter with Texas Tech product Bobby Doran (6-2, 3.32 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.