TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Cardinals Squander Late Lead, Lose 4-2

Published on September 3, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Tulsa, OK - Coming into the final game of the series against the Tulsa Drillers on Friday night, the Cardinals needed just a win and a NW Arkansas win against the Arkansas Travelers in order to clinch the final playoff spot in the North Division playoffs. Springfield sent the team leader in wins, David Kopp with 12, in the decisive game in Tulsa.

Springfield would threaten in the first inning by getting the first to batters on base, but Matt Carpenter bounced into a double play and Andrew Brown struck out stranding a runner at third base.

The Drillers would also threaten in the bottom of the first as Charlie Blackmon tripled with two outs, but Jordan Pacheco grounded out to strand him at third base.

In the 3rd, the Cardinals would be the first to jump on the scoreboard as Daryl Jones led off with a single and was still standing at first after two straight fly outs. Andrew Brown came to the plate with two out and launched a two-run homer to left center, his 22nd of the year, to give Springfield a 2-0 lead.

David Kopp would cruise through the first five innings allowing just five hits with four strikeouts. In the 6th, Charlie Blackmon hit the first pitch he saw with one out over the bullpen in right field for a solo home run, his 11th of the year, the cut the Cardinals lead to just a run, 2-1. Kopp would come out after the 6th allowing just the one run on seven hits with five strikeouts.

Jason Buursma would pitch a scoreless 7th inning before giving way to Tom Eager in the 8th. After the first out was recorded on a ground out, Charlie Blackmon singled to center field. Eager then hit Jordan Pacheco with a pitch to put the tying run at second base. Ryan Kulik then came in out of the bullpen just two days removed from his Tuesday night start and on the very first pitch allowed a two-run triple to Bronson Sardinha to center field to give Tulsa a 3-2 lead. Jeff Kindel followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Sardinha to make it a two run lead for the Drillers at 4-2.

Former Springfield Cardinal Stu Pomeranz came in for the 9th and walked Nick Derba to start the inning, but Jose Garcia popped up to the catcher, Daryl Jones struck out and Pete Kozma ended the game on the fielder's choice ground out to end the game.

For the second straight night, the Cardinals squandered a lead in the bottom of the 8th inning with an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot.

Springfield will begin their final series of the regular season, a three-game set with the Arkansas Travelers, at Dickey Stephens Park on Saturday night. In game one, the Cardinals will send right hander Brian Broderick (10-2) to the mound against right hander Ryan Brasier (7-11) for the Travs. Game time is at 7:10pm.

The Cardinals playoffs hopes are still alive despite the loss as they have secured the second best record in the North Division and the only way the Cardinals would not go to the post season is if the Tulsa Drillers win the second half outright. NW Arkansas is up 3 games on the Drillers in the division with three games to games to play and the two will meet head to head to finish the regular season. Tulsa must sweep the series in order for the Cardinals to be left out of the playoffs.

Should the Cardinals make the playoffs, they would host games three and four of the best of five game divisional series at Hammons Field on September 10th and 11th. For ticket information please visit the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at www.springfieldcardinals.com or call (417) 863-2143.

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Texas League Stories from September 3, 2010


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