Cards climb to within two games of first
Published on June 6, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The Springfield Cardinals pulled to within just two games of first place on Friday night, beating the Tulsa Drillers by a score of 9-4 at Drillers Stadium.
The win for Springfield is their fifth straight and brings them to within one game of the .500 mark at 29-30.
Steven Hill hit a tie-breaking home run in the seventh and Springfield scored four in the ninth to break the game open against Drillers' closer Ryan Mattheus.
Tied 4-4 in the seventh, Hill took Tulsa starter Xavier Cedeno (3-6) deep to left field, his fifth homer of the year and third homer in as many games in the series, making it 5-4.
The Cards left the bases loaded in the eighth, but wouldn't make that mistake in the ninth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Mattheus uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Jose Martinez to score, making it a two-run game at 6-4. On the very next pitch, Shane Robinson ripped a two-run double to right-center field, scoring Mark Shorey and Matt Pagnozzi for an 8-4 lead. Jon Jay followed with an RBI triple, capping the four-run frame at 9-4.
Springfield grabbed the early lead in the second, taking advantage of poor Tulsa defense. Shane Robinson's two-out groundball to third went right between the legs of Tony Blanco, allowing Springfield to take a 2-0 lead as two men scored.
Kyle Sadlowski, making the spot-start for Clayton Mortensen, who was promoted to Triple-A Memphis on Friday morning, worked into the third inning. With two outs though, Sadlowski was removed after walking a pair of hitters in the inning. Justin Fiske came out of the Springfield bullpen and allowed a two-run single to Matt Miller and a two-run homer to Blanco, as the Drillers took a 4-2 lead. Fiske settled down and worked a total of 2 1/3 innings, keeping the deficit at two runs.
Springfield chipped away, getting an unearned run in the fourth and the tying run in the sixth, on Robinson's RBI single, evening the game at 4-4.
Robinson finished the game with three hits, extending his streak to ten straight games with a hit.
Springfield reliever Scott Vander Weg (1-0) worked a scoreless sixth inning, picking up the win out of the bullpen.
The Cards look for the four-game sweep on Saturday night, sending Adam Ottavino (0-4) to the mound against Chaz Roe, who was just called up from Modesto of the California League. Game time on Saturday will be 7:05pm from Drillers Stadium in Tulsa.
Rehabbing pitcher Matt Clement and the Springfield Cardinals take on the Arkansas Travelers in the opening game of Springfield's eight-game home stand, this coming Sunday at Hammons Field. Sunday will be a great day for the entire family, as kids will enjoy Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Treats as part of Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday. Kids will also "Run the Bases" after the game, thanks to the Killian Group of Companies. Game time on Sunday is 6:10pm and gates to Hammons Field will open at 5:10pm. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com.
Also on the upcoming home stand, fans will enjoy a Fireworks Extravaganza thanks to AM Pyrotechnics, a Cox Health Cardinals Cap Giveaway a Father's Day "Catch with Dad" experience and many other great promotions. Tickets for all regular season home games at Hammons Field are available by calling the Cardinals Ticket Line at (417) 863-2143 or on the website at www.springfieldcardinals.com. To reach the Cardinals Front Office, please dial our new number at (417) 863-0395. We hope to see you at Hammons Field very soon! Go Cards and Get Your RED On!
Texas League Stories from June 6, 2008
- Travs down Nats - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards climb to within two games of first - Springfield Cardinals
- Hooks Hurlers Hang Hounds - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Robinson continues to torment Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Long ball dooms Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs Garner Four All Stars - Arkansas Travelers
- Clement to Pitch at Hammons on Sunday - Springfield Cardinals
- Seven RockHounds Named All-Stars - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Answer Nats With 7-1 Defeat - Arkansas Travelers
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