Cards Fall in 11, Home Saturday for Fireworks!
Published on May 16, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The Tulsa Drillers won the opening game of a four-game series on Friday night, sending the Cards to their eighth straight loss in a 10-9 win in 11 innings.
Brian Esposito's suicide squeeze in the top of the 11th inning pushed home the eventual winning run against Cards' reliever Zack Zuercher (0-1).
Tulsa actually jumped out to a 7-0 lead after just an inning and a half against Springfield starter Adam Ottavino. Tony Blanco capped a five-run first inning with a grand slam, his third homer of the year. Blanco followed Matt Miller's RBI single in the second with one of his own, making it 7-0.
Springfield responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning, all with two outs. Tyler Greene tripled home Mark Hamilton for Springfield's first run, then scored on Mark Shorey's RBI double, making it 7-2. Isa Garcia singled home Shorey, then scored on Jon Jay's RBI double, making it a three-run game at 7-4.
Greene homered with one out in the fifth to make it 7-5, his fifth home run of the year. Springfield completed the seven-run comeback with two in the fifth, as Jose Martinez delivered a two-run single with two outs against Drillers' starter Alan Johnson, evening the score at 7-7.
Tulsa got a pair of unearned runs in the sixth against Nick Webber, taking a 9-7 lead.
Springfield again countered, as Steven Hill and Alan Craig hit back-to-back homers, tying the game at 9-9.
It stayed that way until the 11th. With the bases loaded and only one out, Brian Esposito laid down a perfect bunt, scoring Matt Miller from third with the go-ahead run to make it 10-9.
The Cards got some help from Drillers' reliever Casey Weathers in the bottom of the inning, as he walked Brandon Yarbrough to lead off the inning, then gave up a one-out double to pinch hitter Matt Pagnozzi, putting runners at second and third with only one out. Casey Rowlett grounded to third base on the first pitch he saw though, for the second out of the inning. Jon Jay then popped to third to end it, securing Weathers' first save of the year.
Tulsa reliever Ryan Mattheus (1-2) got his first win of the year by tossing two scoreless innings.
Springfield (17-24) looks to end their eight-game skid on Saturday night, sending Mark McCormick (0-0) to the mound in his first Double-A start. Tulsa will throw right-hander Brandon Hynick (2-2). Saturday night is Miltary Appreciation Night, as we honor the men and women of Fort Leonard Wood. Fans will receive Free "Support Our Troops" Thundersticks thanks to TriWest Healthcare Alliance and a post-game Fireworks Display thanks to Mid-Missouri Credit Union. Game time on Saturday is 6:10pm. 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 May 16, 2008
- Three Home Runs Power Travs Over Nats - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Win In 11 - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Fall in 11, Home Saturday for Fireworks! - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions' comeback halts win streak - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cody Clark Moves to AAA, Mildren Returns to NW Arkansas - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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