San Antonio, TX -
Kyle Phillips' sac fly in the bottom of the eighth inning brought home James Darnell with the game winning run as San Antonio edged Tulsa 3-2 to avoid a three-game sweep Tuesday night in San Antonio.
The Missions led 2-0 after a Vincent Belnome RBI single in the first and an Ali Solis leadoff home run in the second. But, Tulsa knotted the score in the third on home runs from Time Wheeler and Ben Paulsen.
The Drillers had a chance to take the lead in the sixth, but with runners at first and second and only one out, Casey Kelly was able to retire the final two batters to get out of the inning.
Tulsa squandered another opportunity in the eighth. Again, with runners at first and second with one out, Hector Gomez was picked off at second. Bronson Sardinha then lined out to end the inning.
Missions reliever Brad Brach set the Drillers down in order in the ninth to earn his third save of the season.
The win went to Kelly, who allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. Drillers reliever Joe Torres suffered the loss, allowing the go-ahead run in the eighth.
Darin Holcomb had three of Tulsa's seven hits to raise his batting average to .279. It's his second three-hit game in five outings.
Tulsa returns home Wednesday to begin a four-game series with the Springfield Cardinals. First pitch at ONEOK Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
