Middleton Pitches Midland Past Tulsa
Middleton was the starting and winning pitcher and dominated the Drillers during his seven innings, allowing only three hits and one run. He walked three hitters while striking out six. With the win, Middleton improved his record to 3-0 since joining the RockHounds on July 26. The impressive outing lowered his ERA to 1.50.
The RockHounds' offense was also on display in the victory. Matt Spencer led Midland with three hits and four runs batted in. He also scored a run scored and finished a triple short of the cycle.
Alex Valdez recorded three hits and scored three times while driving in two runs. Josh Horton also had three hits.
The RockHounds took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. After Horton doubled, Spencer hit a fly ball to left field that appeared to be a routine out. However, thanks to a strong 13 miles per hour wind, the ball cleared the fence for a two-run homer.
Midland added another two-run home run in the second. Archie Gilbert singled and Valdez homered over the netting in left field to give the Hounds a 4-0 advantage.
Cole Garner cut Midland's lead to 4-1 with a towering home run down the left field line in the bottom of the second. The homer extended his hitting streak to a team season high of 17 games.
The RockHounds extended their lead to 6-1 in the fifth inning. Valdez led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Corey Wimberly. A double by Chris Carter plated Valdez. Spencer followed with a single to bring home Carter.
A pair or run-scoring doubles by Horton and Spencer gave Midland an 8-1 edge in the seventh.
When Middleton departed after the seventh, the Drillers' had some success against the RockHounds' bullpen. Danny Sandoval led off the eighth with a single, and he moved to second on a wild pitch. Jeff Kindel doubled home Sandoval, and then scored himself on a single by Michael Paulk to make it 8-3.
Midland plated two more runs in the top of the ninth before Tulsa closed the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Garner struck again with another solo home run. It was his 15th homer of the year. Daniel Mayora followed with a double. He later scored on a base hit by Anthony Jackson to make the final 10-5.
Paulk and Garner led the Drillers offense with two hits a piece as Midland out hit Tulsa 16-9.
Tulsa starting pitcher Keith Weiser (7-13) took the loss, giving up six runs on 11 hits in six innings of work.
With the defeat, the Drillers stayed only two games behind first-place Northwest Arkansas as the Naturals were beaten by Frisco.
The Drillers will look to avoid a three-game sweep to the RockHounds as they complete their six-game homestand Monday night. Samuel Deduno (11-2, 2.72 ERA) will take the mound for Tulsa against Midland's Tyson Ross (2-2, 6.26 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM at Drillers Stadium.
NOTES: Tulsa activated Anthony Jackson before Sunday's game. He was placed on the disabled list on July 30th with a left hip flexor strain. To make room for Jackson, the Drillers placed outfielder Brad Corley on the disabled list.