Cards live to fight another day
Published on June 16, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Backed into a corner, the Springfield Cardinals came out swinging on Monday night at Dickey-Stephens Park, rocking the Arkansas Travelers by a score of 10-5, forcing a winner-take-all game on Tuesday night. The win for the Cards (36-33) moves them one game ahead of the Travelers (35-34), but without a Springfield win on Tuesday, Arkansas would win the First Half North Division based on the second tie-breaker, which is record against the North Division.
Springfield jumped on Arkansas starter Bobby Mosebach (5-5) with two in the first and three more in the second, chasing the All-Star after just 1 2/3 innings. Mark Hamilton and Mark Shorey each had an RBI single in the first, as Springfield took a 2-0 lead. In the second, an Arkansas error by first baseman Michael Collins allowed a pair of runs to score, making it 4-0. Hamilton capped the inning with a two-out double, giving Springfield a commanding 5-0 lead.
Arkansas reliever Doug Brandt was rolling along until two outs in the fourth, when the Cards blew it open. Brandt walked Allen Craig, then gave up an RBI double to Hamilton, giving Springfield a 6-0 advantage. Two batters later, Tyler Greene launched a three-run homer down the left-field line, putting Springfield in front 9-0.
That was plenty of support for Cards' starter Tyler Herron, who threw 96 pitches over five solid innings. Herron gave up a two-run homer to Brian Walker in the fourth, as the Travs made it 9-2. That would be all though, as the Cardinals' right-hander would get out of a fifth-inning jam, getting Michael Collins to ground into a force play, keeping Springfield's lead at seven. Herron (3-3) allowed two runs on seven hits over his five innings.
Arkansas chipped away, getting a run off of Justin Fiske and two in the eighth against Josh Dew, making it 9-5. With the tying run in the on-deck circle and two away in the eighth, Luke Gregerson came out of the Springfield bullpen and retired Cory Smith to end the threat.
After Jose Martinez picked up a two-out RBI single for some insurance in the top of the ninth, Gregerson went on to finish the bottom of the inning in 1-2-3 fashion, giving him his eighth save of the year.
The Cards and Travelers will face off in the final game of the first half on Tuesday night. Springfield will go with Jess Todd (2-1), while the Travelers will send right-hander Fernando Rodriguez (5-4) to the hill. Tuesday's winner will be the First Half North Division Champion. Game time from Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock on Tuesday will be 7:10pm. The game can be heard live on JOCK 98.7 FM as well as on the web at www.springfieldcardinals.com.
The Cards will be on the road for eight straight games before returning to Hammons Field to host the 72nd Texas League All-Star Game presented by Great Southern. Tickets are still available for this historic event by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com. We hope to see you at Hammons Field very soon. Go Cards and Get Your RED On!
Texas League Stories from June 16, 2008
- Cards live to fight another day - Springfield Cardinals
- Too Little, Too Late; Travs Can't Come Back Against Cards - Arkansas Travelers
- Missions nip Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Too little too late, Nats falter against Tulsa - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers hold off Nats - Tulsa Drillers
- Series Preview: Tulsa Series Bridges Halves - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Back in Town All Week Long - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Home Against Cards June 20-23 - Tulsa Drillers
- RockHounds Make Roster Moves For Second Half - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Host Cards With Pennant Hopes - Arkansas Travelers
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