Drillers Knock Off Missions In Opener

The Tulsa Drillers got two clutch home runs Sunday, knocking off the San Antonio Missions 9-7 to open up the three-game road series against Corpus Christi.

With the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, a walk and a single put two Hooks' batters on base with one out on the board. Two at-bats later, Jose Martinez went yard over the left field wall to take a 7-4 advantage.

However, Tulsa roared right back, loading the bases with one out on the board, setting the table for Kiel Roling, who went yard over the left field wall to take an 8-7 advantage. Two innings later, Michael Mitchell homered to left field for an insurance run, taking a 9-7 lead.

Corey Riordan (1-0) was credited with a win for the outing, giving up just one earned run on one hit in his 1.2 innings of service. Chris Hicks (0-1) allowed four earned runs on three hits, the grand slam in the top of the sixth, pitching 1.2 innings for the Hooks.

The Drillers will try for their third consecutive win, the fifth game of the six-game road trip, taking on the Hooks at 7:05 p.m. Monday.