Drillers Beat Amarillo, Head Into All-Star Break

TULSA - The first three games in the series between the Amarillo Sod Poodles and Tulsa Drillers had been very tightly contested, and Sunday afternoon was no different. With the game knotted up at 3-3 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the Drillers came up with two big runs to take a 5-3 win from the Sod Poodles.
The rally began with a leadoff single by Eric Peterson, followed by a pinch-hit double by Gavin Lux. After Carlos Rincon was intentionally walked to load the bases, Chris Parmelee delivered a run-scoring single to right to put the Drillers in front. DJ Peters added an insurance run when dropped a single over the infield, upping the Tulsa lead to 5-3.
After already tossing a scoreless inning of relief, Jordan Sheffield was tasked with getting the final three outs of the game. He did just that, punching out three Sod Poodles to end the game.
The Drillers head into the All-Star break with a 6-1 record to open the second half of the season. Tulsa has won its last two series.
The Drillers took a quick lead by opening the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Rincon singled, Parmelee drew a walk and Peters got hit by a pitch to load the bases. Zach McKinstry followed with a ten-pitch at bat that ended with an infield, RBI single. Josh Thole gave the Drillers a 2-0 lead with a bases-loaded walk.
Amarillo evened things up in the third. Van Gansen led the inning off with a solo home run, his third of the series. After the Sod Poodles loaded the bases on an error, a walk and a single, Edward Olivares evened things at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly.
The Drillers went back in front in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded, McKinstry through with another clutch single to give Tulsa a one-run lead. In the top of the eighth, Amarillo tied the game again thanks to a sacrifice fly from Luis Torrens.
WHAT YOU MISSED
McKinstry and Rincon each recorded three hits on Sunday. It was Rincon's first time to notch three hits in a game since coming to Tulsa. McKinstry notched three hits on May 31 in Little Rock against Arkansas and on June 5 at ONEOK Field against Springfield.
Parker Curry got the start on the mound for the Drillers and allowed two runs (one earned) and three hits in three innings.
The Drillers bullpen was very solid. Chris Nunn struck out four over two scoreless frames and Ryan Moseley worked a perfect sixth inning. Sheffield struck out four over two innings and picked up his second win of the year. The only run against the pen came against Edward Paredes.
Peterson has recorded a hit in consecutive games for the first time this season. Sunday was his tenth game of the year with the Drillers.
The Drillers have fared very well against the Texas League South Division so far this season. After playing a home and road series against each team, Tulsa is 20-7 against the South Division, while going an impressive 12-2 at home.
Sunday afternoon was the last daytime regular season home game at ONEOK Field until August 25.
UP NEXT: Texas League All-Star Game, Tuesday, June 25, 7:05 PM at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, OK. Both starting pitchers are TBA.