Drillers one win from Texas League championship

Double-A Tulsa

The Tulsa Drillers held off the Midland Rockhounds (Athletics) in the late innings to win game two of the Texas League Championship Series 5-4. The game saw the two teams combine for 27 hits, with Tulsa being paced by middle order stalwarts Matt Beaty and Kyle Garlick, who both went 3-for-5 with a double. Drew Jackson also added a double and triple in five plate appearances.

Scott Barlow allowed just one run over the first seven frames, striking out three and walking one. The Drillers almost squandered their four run lead in the eithth when Karch Kowacyzk allowed a single and a walk to his two batters faced, and Layne Somsen followed him, allowing both inherited runners to score before surrendering a run of his own. The Drillers called on Daniel Corcino to shut the door in the ninth, as he notched his second save.

The Drillers will return home Friday for their first of three chances to lock up the Texas League Championship for the first time since 1998.

Wednesday box score

Game 2 — Tulsa 5, Midland 4

Thursday schedule

Pioneer League Championship Series (best-of-3)
4 p.m. PT: Game 1 — Ogden (TBD) vs. Great Falls (TBD)