Cards Take Two on Thursday
June 11, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The Springfield Cardinals swept a double-header from the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday night, taking game one by a final of 2-1, then winning game two by a score of 4-1. Springfield (34-24) has now won three straight, while the Drillers (29-29) fall to third place in the North Division, thanks to six straight losses.
Mark Hamilton's two-run single in the first inning of game one was all the Cards could muster against Tulsa starter Jhoulys Chacin (4-5). Thankfully for Springfield, that's all they'd need, as Cards' starter Trey Hearne combined with Tyler Norrick and Francisco Samuel to hold Tulsa to just two hits through seven innings.
Hearne (5-1) gave up just one run, as Daniel Carte's sac fly in the fourth made it a 2-1 game. Hearne got through five innings, before turning the ball over to Tyler Norrick.
Norrick walked the lead-off hitter in the sixth, but pitched around it, striking out the final two hitters he faced.
Samuel hit a batter with two outs in the last of the seventh, but fanned Cole Garner looking, to record his 15th save of the year.
In game two, Brandon Dickson stepped up with five innings in a spot-start situation. The Drillers got their only run off of Dickson in the third, when Daniel Mayora doubled home Brad Corley with two outs, putting the Drillers in front 1-0.
Curt Smith launched a solo homer in the top of the fourth inning, tying the game at 1-1 against Tulsa reliever Xavier Cedeno (1-2). Pete Kozma followed with a double and eventually scored on a two-out hit by Jim Rapoport, putting Springfield ahead to stay at 2-1.
Tyler Henley drove home a pair of runs to give Springfield some insurance in the sixth. Tulsa reliever Jarrett Grube walked the bases loaded and with two outs, was removed for reliever Tommy Baumgardner. Henley stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs and dropped a single into left-center field, scoring two to give the Cards a 4-1 advantage.
Dickson (3-4) would be removed after five innings, as he allowed just one run on three hits.
Eduardo Sanchez struck out the side in the sixth, then benefitted from a double-play in the seventh, as he worked two scoreless innings to record his first Double-A save.
The Cards are now four and a half games up over Northwest Arkansas and five up on Tulsa with just 12 games remaining in Springfield's first-half schedule. Ryan Kulik (1-3) goes to the mound on Friday night, taking on Tulsa left-hander Keith Weiser (3-5) at 7:05pm from Drillers Stadiu.
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!
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Texas League Stories from June 11, 2009
- Cards Take Two on Thursday - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Swept In Doubleheader - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Broom Travelers in Thursday Twinbill - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Sergio, Sutil, DeLome Slap RockHounds - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Padres to Hold Open Tryout Thursday - San Antonio Missions
- Making a Run - San Antonio Missions
- Travs break even on homestand, go for five in three days at NWA - Arkansas Travelers
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