Blair and Cards Beat Oswalt and Drillers, 5-0
Published on June 9, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Tulsa, OK - RHP Seth Blair and the Springfield Cardinals topped Major League RHP Roy Oswalt and the Tulsa Drillers, 5-0, before 5,188 fans at ONEOK Field on Sunday afternoon. It is the seventh shutout win for the Cardinals already this season.
Blair (W, 3-6) dominated through his seven-inning performance, striking out seven while only allowing three hits and two walks. He retired 13 consecutive batters from the third through two-thirds of the seventh, shutting down the Tulsa (29-32) offense.
Meanwhile, Springfield (30-30) struck in the top of the second against the big leaguer Oswalt (L, 2-2). With one away and the bases clear, 1B Xavier Scruggs crushed a solo home run beyond the left field wall, lifting the Cardinals into the 1-0 lead. It was Scruggs's 100th career home run and his 46th as a Springfield Cardinal. He is just 12 away from passing Steven Hill (57 HR) for the All-Time lead.
Springfield added two more in the top of the fifth inning. With two on and one away, Blair tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Oswalt fielded the ball quickly and attempted to throw out SS Jake Lemmerman at third, but the errant throw sailed wide and enabled Lemmerman to not only be safe but also score on the play. With runners at second and third, LF Mike O'Neill bounced an RBI fielder's choice to 3B Jayson Langfels. Langfels tried to throw out 2B Luis Mateo at the plate, but Mateo slid in before the tag to make it 3-0.
The Cardinals padded the lead with runs in the eighth and ninth. With two down in the eighth, 3B Ruben Gotay singled to extend the inning and quickly took second on a balk called against RHP Josh Mueller. RF Chris Swauger laced an RBI single to left-center, plating Gotay for the 4-0 advantage. C Audry Perez put the finishing touch on with a solo homer in the ninth, lifting the lead to five runs.
After Blair's seven scoreless innings, LHP Jonathan Cornelius and RHP Kevin Thomas both added a scoreless frame of work apiece, closing the 5-0 shutout win for Springfield.
Father's Day Baseball and much more on Sunday, June 16
The Cardinals continue the road trip in Tulsa on Monday at 12:05pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7 FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.
Springfield returns home for Father's Day Baseball and much more on Sunday, June 16 with a 6:09pm First Pitch. The Cardinals will be donning the Stan Musial Tribute Jerseys, with a game-worn jersey auction during the game to benefit the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri.
That Sunday's game will also feature the Rawlings Allen Craig Bat Giveaway for 1,250 kids, 15-and-under, with a paid admission. Gates open at 5:09pm.
For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Cake Pop Company Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.
Texas League Stories from June 9, 2013
- Missions Rally Past Hooks 7-4 - San Antonio Missions
- Naturals Earn Come-From-Behind Victory over Travelers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Nicholas and Benson Rally to Stun Hounds, 4-3 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Oswalt Edged by Cards' Blair - Tulsa Drillers
- Blair and Cards Beat Oswalt and Drillers, 5-0 - Springfield Cardinals
- Pimentel and Martinez Carry Frisco over Hounds - Midland RockHounds
- Missions Drop Opener with Hooks, 5-1 - San Antonio Missions
- Quevedo Shines in Opener - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Tulsa Takes Opener against Cards - Springfield Cardinals
- Martinez and Pimentel Lead 'Riders in Midland, 5-2 - Frisco RoughRiders
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