TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Cards Finish Home Stand 5-2, after 2-1 Win on Thursday

July 24, 2008 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Andrew Brown was the hero in the ninth, before Jon Jay one-upped him in the tenth, as the Springfield Cardinals rallied from behind on Thursday to beat the Arkansas Travelers in ten innings, winning by a score of 2-1 at Hammons Field. The win for Springfield caps a 5-2 home stand and puts them back into a tie for first place with Northwest Arkansas in the North Division.

It took 26 outs, but Andrew Brown's two-out single in the ninth inning brought home Jon Jay for the game-tying run, as Springfield battled back to force a 1-1 tie after nine innings.

Jay delivered with two outs in the tenth, driving in Tyler Greene for the game-winning run, as the Cards rallied for the 2-1 win.

Cards' starter Adam Ottavino didn't get any run support during his seven strong innings, settling for a no-decision. Ottavino allowed an unearned run in the first inning, as Corey Smith's ground ball went off the glove of third baseman Allen Craig, allowing Chris Pettit to score, making it 1-0.

Ottavino had one of his best outings of the year, allowing just the one unearned run on five hits, striking out seven, while only walking one.

Travs' starter Amalio Diaz came within three outs of a complete-game shut-out victory, instead departing after eight scoreless frames. Diaz allowed just three hits, striking nine, while walking just one batter.

In the bottom of the ninth, Stephen Marek came out of the Arkansas bullpen and couldn't hold the 1-0 lead. Jay led off the inning with a ground ball to first baseman Corey Smith. Marek covered the bag at first, but couldn't handle Smith's throw, as Jay was safe on the Marek error. Jay advanced to second on a ground ball to third by Allen Craig. Mark Shorey then struck out for the second out of the inning. Andrew Brown followed by lining a base hit into center field, plating Jay to even the game at 1-1.

Marek (2-6) started the tenth with a lead-off walk to Brandon Yarbrough. After Isa Garcia struck out, Tyler Greene reached on a force play at second. With Jay coming up behind Greene, Arkansas went to the bullpen to get left-hander Doug Brandt. The moved didn't pay off though, as Greene stole second, then scored on Jay's base hit to right-center field.

Luke Gregerson (6-5), who worked two scoreless innings, earned the win in relief for the Cardinals.

Springfield (19-14) will head to Northwest Arkansas to open a four-game series against the Naturals. Kyle Mura (3-1) will take on Rowdy Hardy (5-8) at 7:30pm on Friday night in the series-opener from Springdale. The Redbirds will be on the road until Friday, August 1st, when they return to Hammons Field for a four-game series against the Tulsa Drillers, with an AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks Spectacular scheduled to kick off the home stand. Tickets are still available for the final three games of the home stand, by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com.

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Texas League Stories from July 24, 2008


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