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TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Cardinals Comeback to Beat Tulsa 8-7

May 23, 2011 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Tulsa, OK - Playing with heavy hearts after learning of the devastation in Joplin last night, Springfield was looking to win their first series since early May. The surging Cardinals sent right hander Maikel Cleto to the mound against Major League Rehabber Aaron Cook.

The Cardinals would strike first on a gloomy, yet muggy Monday afternoon as Eric Duncan singled to start the second inning and scored on a two-run homer from catcher Audry Perez, his first in Double-A, to put Springfield in front 2-0.

In the 3rd, Jose Garcia led off with a single and scored from first on an RBI triple from Jermaine Curtis and Matt Adams followed with an RBI single to right to give the Cardinals 4-0 advantage.

Maikel Cleto made his third start for Springfield and retired nine straight batters before allowing a leadoff single to Hector Gomez in the 4th. After a stolen base and a throwing error on Audry Perez, Scott Beerer delivered an RBI single to left to make it a 4-1 game.

The Drillers applied more pressure in the 5th as Warren Schaeffer singled, James Cesario walked and Tim Wheeler single to bring home Schaeffer and cut the lead in half. After a fly-out, Ben Paulsen singled to bring home Cesario to bring Tulsa within just a run, 4-3.

Cleto would leave the game after the 6th by wigging out of trouble thanks to a terrific throw from Alex Castellanos in center field to cut down Scott Beerer at the plate to keep the Cardinals in front by a run.

Springfield would respond in the 7th as Jose Garcia led off with a single and scored on yet another RBI triple by Jermaine Curtis to give the Cardinals a two run cushion, 5-3. However, the middle of the order, Adams, Castellanos and Eric Duncan could not bring in Curtis to add an extra insurance run.

In the bottom of the 7th, Blake King retired the first two batters on a ground out and after a walk a caught stealing. Ben Paulsen then lined a solo homer over the right field wall to bring the Drillers within a run again, 5-4. King would load the bases before Jesse Simpson came on to retire the side on a fly out to left.

Simpson began the 8th, but would not finish it as he allowed a double and back-to-back singles, the latter to Tim Wheeler to tie the game 5-5. With runners on the corners Hector Gomez singled to left to bring home the go-ahead run. Sam Freeman came on and promptly allowed another base hit to Ben Paulsen to put the Drillers in front 7-5.

The Cardinals had not won a game when trailing after eight innings in 2011 and that would change Monday afternoon as Garcia led off the 9th with a double to right and moved to third on a one out single by Matt Adams. Alex Castellanos, who was 0-for-4 and had just been named Texas League Player of the Week, fell down in the count to closer Adam Jorgenson. On a 1-2 count, Castellanos lifted a fly ball over the left field wall to score three and put the Cardinals in front 8-7. Nick Greenwood would come in for the 9th and allowed a lead off single before retiring the next three batters to preserve the win for Springfield giving them their first series win since early May.

While the Cardinals won the game, the people of Joplin, Missouri have suffered a great loss to their community and the Springfield Cardinals would like to send their thoughts and prayers to their neighbors in Southwest Missouri.

One of the best ways you can help in this disaster is to text CONVOY to 50555 to give to the Convoy of Hope and/or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Also, if you are seeking information about a loved one's well being, please visit American Red Cross Safe and Well site at http://www.safeandwell.org/. This is a verified database of people in disaster areas who have checked in as safe and well with the Red Cross. You can also register yourself, or for someone you know is okay.

The Cardinals will return home Wednesday, May 25th for a six-game homestand against the Corpus Christi Hooks and San Antonio Missions. The Cardinals will send righty David Kopp to the mound against right hander Kyle Greenwalt of Corpus Christi. Wednesday's game will begin 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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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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