Cards Beat Drillers, Take Title
Published on June 26, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Friday night's showdown between the Tulsa Drillers and the Springfield Cardinals to determine the first-half champion in the North Division featured two of the best pitchers in the Texas League. Tulsa starter Jhoulys Chacin was recently named to Major League Baseball's All-Star Futures Game in St. Louis and Springfield starter Trey Hearne was trying to become the first pitcher in the Texas League to win eight games.
The 7,893 fans at Drillers Stadium watched one pitcher shine and one struggle. Unfortunately for the Drillers, it was Springfield starter Hearne (8-1) who shined as the Cardinals punched their playoff ticket with a 10-2 victory.
Hearne was the definite star as he threw six solid innings to pick up the win. He surrendered only one run on five hits while striking out one and walking four.
He was also an offensive contributor, hitting an inside-the-park home run in the top of the sixth inning. Hearne drove a fly ball high off the center field wall that caromed toward right field. Right fielder Cole Garner retrieved the ball and threw home, but the throw was late and Hearne slid in headfirst for the inside-the-park homer.
The Cardinals jumped in front early in the top of the first inning with back-to-back walks and then a single by Daniel Descalso that scored the runner from second.
Springfield extended their lead to 3-0 in the third inning. After Tyler Henley's leadoff double, Mark Hamilton belted his eighth home run of the year high over the right field wall.
Tony Cruz increased the Cards lead to 4-0 in the top of the fifth inning. Descalso led off with a double and eventually scored on Cruz's single.
Tulsa broke up the shutout in the bottom of the fifth inning. Mike McKenry doubled and Darin Holcomb and Chacin followed with walks to load the bases with only one out. Anthony Jackson hit a sacrifice fly that scored McKenry and cut the Cards' lead to 4-1, but Hearne restored the four-run lead with his inside-the-park-homer.
Springfield would add two more runs in the inning and take a commanding 7-1 lead. A two out double by Hamilton scored two more runners for his fourth run batted in of the night.
Daniel Mayora hit a home run high into the left field netting to start the bottom of the seventh. It was his fourth home run of the year and second in the last two games.
Tyler Henley's three-run home run in the top of the eight extended the Cards lead to 10-2.
Chacin (6-6) took the loss for the Drillers after giving up six runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.
The Drillers will be looking for their first win of the second half when they continue their series with the Cardinals on Saturday night. Keith Weiser (5-5, 4.24 ERA) will get the start for Tulsa against Springfield's Ryan Kulik (1-5, 5.97 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM at Drillers Stadium.
Texas League Stories from June 26, 2009
- Naturals Come Back but Fall Short in Extras - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cards Clinch Title - Springfield Cardinals
- Cards Beat Drillers, Take Title - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Beat Naturals On Majewski Magic - Arkansas Travelers
- Corpus Christi Hooks RoughRiders, 10-2 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Series Preview: Travs back in town again - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Short but action-packed homestand vs. Travs - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cards Clip Travs With Three Homers Thursday - Arkansas Travelers
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