Cards Stay Alive with 6-5 Win in 13th
Published on August 29, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Fighting for their playoff lives, the Springfield Cardinals rallied from a two-run extra-inning deficit, downing the Tulsa Drillers in 13 innings by a score of 6-5. A crowd of 9,372, the largest regular season crowd of the year at Hammons Field, watched as Jim Rapoport's RBI single in the 13th, plated Andrew Brown to keep Springfield's playoff hopes alive.
Northwest Arkansas, an 8-2 winner over the Arkansas Travelers on Friday night, needs just one win or a Springfield loss to give the Naturals the Second Half North Division Crown.
Tied at 5-5 in the 13th, Andrew Brown and Donovan Solano singled to open the inning against Jarrett Grube (4-3). Rapoport followed with a soft line drive to right-center field. Brown scored without a play, giving the Cards the come-from-behind win.
Tulsa could have ended Springfield's playoff hopes in the 12th, as Eric Young's two-run double off eventual winner Jonathan Mikrut (4-3) put the Drillers up 5-3.
The Cards didn't quit though, as Matt Pagnozzi led off the 12th with a single, then moved to third on a hustle-double by Daryl Jones. Daniel Descalso followed with a deep drive to center field. Although Dexter Fowler made the catch, both Jones and Pagnozzi moved up, with Pagnozzi scoring to make it 5-4. Casey Rowlett followed with another sac fly, as his drive to left plated Jones to tie the game at 5-5.
Brandon Yarbrough's two-run triple off of Tulsa starter Chaz Roe gave Springfield an early 2-0 advantage in the second.
Tulsa responded in the fourth inning, getting a two-run blast from Justin Nelson, his 20th of the year and third of the series, tying the game at 2-2.
The Drillers took their first lead of the night at 3-2 in the fifth, as Dexter Fowler's RBI grounder to third, plated Gary Cates, who opened the inning with a single.
Springfield got the equalizer in the seventh, as Brett Wallace, who was hit by a pitch to open the inning, scored from third on a Jim Rapoport ground ball to second, evening the game at 3-3.
St. Louis reliever Josh Kinney worked for the third time in a Springfield uniform, as part of his current rehab assignment. Although Kinney gave up a lead-off double, his first hit allowed in three appearances, he stranded Gary Cates at second base, retiring the next three hitters consecutively. Kinney threw 14 pitches over his scoreless inning.
The Cards (39-28) still have three road games remaining in the 2008 regular season, as they open a three-game set in North Little Rock against the Arkansas Travelers on Saturday night. Right-hander Adam Ottavino (2-7) will make his final start of the year on Saturday night in the series-opener, while the Travs will counter with left-hander Daniel Davidson (1-0). Game time on Saturday will be 7:10pm.
The Springfield Cardinals would like to thank everyone that helped make 2008 such a special year. THANK YOU to the fans, the sponsors, the employees and everyone in the Cardinals' family for a wonderful 2008 season. Keep in mind that playoff tickets are now on sale for a potential playoff series with the Arkansas Travelers. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com.
Texas League Stories from August 29, 2008
- Drillers Lose In 13 - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Stay Alive with 6-5 Win in 13th - Springfield Cardinals
- Two-Out Runs Sink Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Frisco drops finale to Corpus - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Return Saturday for Final Regular Season Series - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cortes, Kaaihue Named Naturals Pitcher, Player of the Year - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Nicoll placed on DL, Atencio Returns - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Great Seats Available For Travs Playoff Games - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Rally in Eighth to Win - Corpus Christi Hooks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
