Cardinals Beat Drillers 4-2
Published on August 5, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Tulsa, OK - Continuing on their seven game road trip, the Springfield Cardinals invaded Tulsa to take on the Drillers in a four-game series at ONEOK Field.
Springfield sent righty Joe Kelly to the mound in just his second road start of the season. The Drillers countered with recently acquired righty Joe Gardner from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Ubaldo Jimenez.
In the top of the 1st, the Cardinals wasted no time getting to Gardner as Jim Rapoport singled to left and Matt Adams blasted a two-run homer to right center to give Springfield a 2-0 advantage.
Joe Kelly escaped some trouble in the 1st by getting a double play turned behind him after having runners at first and second with only one out. He would not have as much good fortune in the 2nd however as the Drillers had runners at first and second and back to back one out singles before Erick Wetzel grounded out moving runners up 90 feet. Kelly then uncorked a wild pitch with the opposing pitcher at the plate allowing the Drillers to score their first run putting the score at 2-1.
Tulsa would tie the score in the 3rd as Tim Wheeler singled to start the inning. With two outs, Wheeler stole second and then scored on an RBI double by Wilin Rosario to knot the score at 2-2.
Both starters settled in once the game was tied. Springfield would threaten in the 6th with two outs after Aaron Luna reached on an error and Zack Cox singled to right center putting runners on the corners, but Donovan Solano grounded softly to second base to end the inning with the game still tied.
The Cardinals would finally break the tie in the 7th inning. Daryl Jones singled and Audry Perez was hit by a pitch before Joe Kelly struck out. The Drillers went to the bullpen and Joe Torres hit Jim Rapoport to load the bases. Ryan Jackson followed by driving in a run on a fielder's choice to make it a 3-2 game. Matt Adams then singled to left to score Perez to give the Cardinals a 4-2 lead.
Joe Kelly retired 10 straight batters before allowing a single to Tommy Field to start the 7th inning. After a fly out and a walk, Sam Freeman came in out of the bullpen. Pinch hitter, Mike Zuanich would bounce into a double play to end the Drillers threat with Springfield still in front by two runs. Kelly finished the night throwing 6.1 innings allowing two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts.
Sam Freeman threw 1.2 flawless innings and David Kopp allowed a couple hits in the 9th before retiring Erick Wetzel on a pop up to pick up the save and end the game giving Springfield a 4-2 win.
Springfield will continue their four-game series with the Tulsa Drillers Saturday night at 7:05pm. The Cardinals will send left hander John Gast to the mound against former first round pick, lefty Christian Friedrich of the Drillers at ONEOK Field.
The Cardinals will return to Hammons Field Wednesday August 10th for a six game homestand beginning with the San Antonio Missions at 7:07pm. Great tickets are still available by visiting the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at springfieldcardinals.com or by calling (417) 863-2143.
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