Drillers Shutout Missions to Win Road Trip Finale

Tulsa starter Dan Winkler finally got his first win of the season as the Drillers shutout the Missions 2-0 Tuesday night, although Winkler's 1-0 record is not indicative of how well the 2013 California League Pitcher of the Year has pitched in three starts so far this season.

Winkler threw 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and three walks while striking out nine. The outing further improved Winkler's ERA to 1.06 in 17.0 innings pitched over three starts, with seventeen strikeouts and seven walks.  

Taylor Featherston led off the game with a single on a sharp ground ball through the right side of the infield, and would score two batters later on a wild pitch. 

The run would prove to be all that Winkler and the Drillers bullpen needed for the victory, although Tyler Massey would double home Brian Humphries in the sixth inning for an insurance run.

Also of significance, the Featherston run in the top of the first marks the first time the Drillers have scored first in any game in 2014. 

Humphries had the only multi-hit game for Tulsa, doubling in the first inning and tripling in the sixth before scoring on Massey's double two batters later. 

The two hits upped Humphries' batting average to a team-leading .385, good for fourth best in the Texas league. 

Nelson Gonzalez came into the game in relief of Winkler in the sixth inning and matched Winkler's effectiveness, striking out three in a perfect 1.2 innings. 

Kenny Roberts sent down the only two batters he faced in the eighth inning, and closer Scott Oberg entered the game in the ninth inning and recorded his third save of the season. 

The shutout gave Tulsa their first series win in 2014, taking two of three from the Missions in San Antonio.

The Drillers return home on Wednesday for a four-game homestand against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the first divisional matchup for Tulsa this season. 

Former Oklahoma Sooner and 2013 first-round daft pick Jon Gray will make his second start at ONEOK Field. Gray will face off against Vanderbilt product Sam Selman. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM in downtown Tulsa.