Cards Clinch Title
Published on June 26, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The Springfield Cardinals clinched just their second playoff appearance in franchise history, defeating the Tulsa Drillers in convincing fashion, winning 10-2 on Friday night at Drillers Stadium. The win for Springfield breaks the first-half North Division tie, that saw the Cards and Drillers finish with identical 38-32 records.
Trey Hearne did it with the arm and the bat, tossing six solid innings, as well as hitting the first inside-the-park home run in franchise history.
Daniel Descalso's RBI single in the first put the Redbirds on the board at 1-0 over Drillers' ace Jhoulys Chacin (6-6), who was rocked for six runs over 5 1/3 innings.
Mark Hamilton's two-run homer in the third made it a 3-0 lead and an RBI single from Tony Cruz extended the lead to 4-0 in the fourth. The blast for Hamilton is his eighth of the year and first since May 21st.
Hearne got touched for a run in the bottom of the fifth, but got it back in the top of the sixth. Already with a home run to his credit this year, Hearne smashed a ball off the center field wall, which bounced far enough away from center fielder Anthony Jackson, for Hearne to go for the plate. He slid in head-first, just ahead of the tag, for the first inside-the-park homer in Springfield's five-year history.
Hamilton did more damage later that inning, lining a two-run double to center field, making it 7-1.
Hearne (8-1) worked a scoreless sixth, then turned it over to Eduardo Sanchez, who surrendered a solo home run to Daniel Mayora, pulling Tulsa to within five at 7-2.
Tyler Henley put the finishing touches on the night, cranking a three-run homer to left-center field to give the Cards their largest lead of the night at 10-2. The home run for Henley is his fifth.
Sanchez came back out and worked a 1-2-3 eighth, before watching closer Francisco Samuel fire a perfect ninth inning.
The Redbirds (2-1, 40-33) will take on Tulsa again on Saturday night, sending Ryan Kulik (1-5, 5.97 ERA) to the hill against Tulsa left-hander Keith Weiser (5-5, 4.24 ERA). Game time from Drillers Stadium on Saturday night is 6:05pm.
The Cards return to Hammons Field on Thursday, July 2nd for a six-game home stand. Don't miss out on Fireworks on both Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com.
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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