TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Cards Hammered by Hounds, Return to Hammons Tuesday

Published on August 20, 2005 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


The Springfield Cardinals playoff-hopes were dealt a serious blow on Saturday night, as the Cards got hammered in Midland by a final score of 15-5. Couple the Cardinals' loss with an amazing Arkansas seven-run comeback over Frisco on Saturday night, and Springfield is now 4.5 back with 15 left to play.

The Cards took a 2-0 lead in the first against RockHounds starter Shane Komine (1-0), but Midland wasted little time in taking the lead for good against Cards starter Chris Lambert (2-6). Midland tied the game in the bottom of the inning, then went ahead for good on Mark Kiger's grand slam to left field, taking a 6-2 advantage. Kiger finished the night with three hits and five RBIs.

Lambert, who walked three men in the first inning, gave up a two-out single and then walked another in the second. He was lifted after just 1.2 innings, the shortest outing for a Cards starter this year. Josh Axelson came out of the bullpen to strike out Jeremy Brown to keep the game at 6-2.

After a scoreless third for Axelson, he allowed five runs in the fourth, as Midland took a commanding 11-2 lead.

Rick Ankiel led off the sixth inning with a solo shot that was just fair down the left-field line. His fourth homer in a Cards uniform made it 11-3.

The RockHounds would respond by scoring four times in the sixth against Cards reliever Alan Benes, taking a 15-3 lead.

Travis Hanson crushed a two-run homer to right field in the eighth inning, capping the scoring to make it 15-5. Hanson's 20th homer of the year, capped a three-RBI night, giving him a league-best 91 on the year.

Josh Kinney, who came off the disabled list on Saturday, worked a scoreless eighth inning, allowing just one hit while striking out one batter. Kinney takes the roster spot of Bill Pulsipher, who was promoted to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Saturday's game also marked the Double-A debut of Rayner Laya. Laya, who pinch-hit for Brendan Ryan in the sixth, went 1-2 with his first career Double-A hit, a single in the ninth inning. Laya was added to the Cards roster on Friday, filling the roster spot of Kevin Estrada, who was placed on the disabled list with a dislocated knuckle on his right hand.

The Cardinals fall to 25-30, now 4.5 games back of Arkansas in the East Division. Springfield looks to split the four-game series, sending Stuart Pomeranz to the mound for Sunday's series finale. Pomeranz (4-5) looks for his third straight win, taking on Midland's Mike Nannini (6-0). Game time on Sunday is 6:00pm. After a day off on Monday, the Cards return home to face the Tulsa Drillers on Tuesday, August 23rd. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com.

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Texas League Stories from August 20, 2005


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