Kozma Slams Drillers
Published on June 10, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The Springfield Cardinals inched a little closer to their goal of winning the first-half North crown, rallying from a 4-0 deficit on Wednesday, beating the second-place Tulsa Drillers by a score of 8-6 at Drillers Stadium.
The Springfield victory gives the Cards (32-24) a three-game lead over the Drillers (29-27) with just 14 games to play in the first half.
Pete Kozma blasted a grand slam and fell just a single shy of the cycle, as the Cards opened the five-game series at Drillers Stadium with a win.
Leading 4-2 in the top of the fifth inning, Tulsa starter Brandon Durden walked Daniel Descalso to get the rally started for Springfield. Two batters later, Mark Hamilton singled, putting the tying runs aboard. Tony Cruz followed with an RBI single, making it a one-run game at 4-3. After Jim Rapoport walked, Kozma crushed a Durden offering out of the yard for just his second home run at the Double-A level, putting Springfield in front to stay at 7-4.
Matt Arburr followed with a pinch-hit home run, his fourth since being called up from Palm Beach, giving the Cards an 8-4 advantage.
Winning pitcher Eddie Degerman (2-1), who came on for starter Brad Furnish after four innings, pitched a scoreless fifth, but allowed a run in the sixth, making it an 8-5 game.
Pete Parise then came out of the Springfield bullpen and worked a scoreless seventh, but allowed a run in the eighth, on Cole Garner's RBI double, bringing the Drillers to within two at 8-6.
Francisco Samuel worked a scoreless ninth, benefitting from one of three double-plays turned by the Springfield defense on Wednesday night. The save for Samuel is his 14th of the year.
Tulsa jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after just two innings, as Mike Paulk had a pair of hits in the first two frames, driving home three of the four runs.
The Cards got two in the third off Durden (1-1), on an RBI single by Descalso and a sac fly by Cruz.
Springfield and Tulsa will play a double-header on Thursday, with game one beginning at 6:05pm from Drillers Stadium. Trey Hearne (4-1) and Brandon Dickson (2-4) will go for the Redbirds, while the Drillers will counter with Jhoulys Chacin (4-4) and Joey Williamson (0-0).
The Cards will return after eight straight days on the road, for an eight-game home stand at Hammons Field. The home stand starts on Thursday, June 18th.
Don't miss out on the Symphony in the Sky on Friday, June 19th, as the Springfield Symphony will play during the AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks Display at Hammons Field. Tickets are available, by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com. We hope to see you at Hammons Field very soon...Escape to Cardinals Baseball!
Texas League Stories from June 10, 2009
- Kozma Slams Drillers - Springfield Cardinals
- Kozma Leads Cards Past Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
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