Cardinals Downed by Missions 11-4
Published on August 10, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Springfield, MO - Cardinal fans have come to expect electric starting pitching when Shelby Miller takes the mound.
On this night, it was Miller's counterpart, Pedro Hernandez that thoroughly outpitched the Springfield ace.
Miller lasted just two thirds of an inning before leaving the game, allowing Hernandez to steal the show with eight straight outs recorded via the strikeout to start the game.
The San Antonio Missions added plenty of offense to Hernandez's strong start, parlaying fifteen hits and ten walks into eleven runs to upend the Cardinals, 11-4.
Looking to keep the good times rolling, Miller (7-2, 2.48 ERA) came into the game off of one of his best outings of the season, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning in a win against Arkansas.
That would not be the case, as the good times came to an abrupt stop against the Missions. It took the right-hander 15 pitches before the first batter was retired. Immediately after, the wheels fell off for Miller. An RBI single to San Antonio third baseman Jedd Gyorko and a run-scoring free pass issued to Jason Hagerty ended Miller's start after only two thirds of an inning. Miller threw just 36 pitches.
Scott Schneider relieved Miller, entering the game with the bases chalked full of Missions. Schneider walked in a run of his own and gave up an RBI single to San Antonio pitcher Pedro Hernandez before being bailed out by left fielder Jermaine Curtis' outfield assist. The Cardinals trailed the Missions 4-0 after just one half inning of play.
Seven more batters came to the plate for San Antonio in the top of the second, but Schneider was able to curtail the damage after allowing the Missions to plate only one more run.
San Antonio starter Pedro Hernandez (1-0, 3.00 ERA) set the tone with his early domination, striking out the side in the bottom of the first.
Hernandez got it done both on the mound (5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K) and at the plate (2-3, RBI).
Inserted into the everyday starting lineup after the Alex Castellanos trade, Jermaine Curtis continued his inspired play for Springfield. After showing off the arm in the top of the first, Curtis ended Hernandez's streak of five straight strikeouts, belting a solo home run to left field. The homer was Curtis' fifth of the year, and trimmed the San Antonio lead to 5-1.
Another San Antonio run came across in the top of the third, this time on an RBI single by center fielder Daniel Robertson. The run pushed the Missions lead to 6-1 and ended the day for Schneider after two innings of relief.
The Missions continued to add to their lead in increments of one, plating an additional run each inning through the fifth.
St. Louis native Jason Hagerty drove home Gyorko in the fourth with an RBI double and Sawyer Carroll added to his team-leading RBI total, driving in his 60th of the year in the fifth, and giving San Antonio an 8-1 lead.
Offense, from both teams, took a two and a half inning hiatus before the Missions struck for three more in the top of the eighth. Gyorko hit a solo home run to right and Jaff Decker contributed a two-run RBI single, increasing the San Antonio lead to 11-1.
Springfield had one last charge in them, picking up three late runs in the bottom of the ninth, two of which came on an RBI single by Audry Perez. The catcher was a bright spot for the Cardinals, finishing 4-4 at the plate.
Springfield will continue their series with the San Antonio Missions at 7:07pm Thursday night at Hammons Field. The Cardinals will send right hander Joe Kelly to the mound against righty Joe Wieland of the Missions.
As always, Thursday is "Buck a Brat" night featuring $1 Johnsonville Bratwurst all night long. Great tickets are still available by visiting the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at springfieldcardinals.com or by calling (417) 863-2143.
Texas League Stories from August 10, 2011
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