Cards Take Double-Header...Home Through Friday
Published on May 6, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Ozarks Springbirds News Release
The Springfield Cardinals pulled off their second double-header sweep in franchise history, taking a pair from the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Wednesday afternoon at Hammons Field.
Brandon Dickson pitched seven shut-out innings in game one for a 3-0 win, while the Cards rallied from a 6-0 deficit to take game two by a score of 14-9.
The two games were obviously very different, as Dickson and Naturals' starter Blake Wood battled the whole way.
Dickson (2-1) got out of a bases-loaded jam in the third and really wasn't tested again, until two men reached in the seventh. With closer Francisco Samuel ready in the bullpen, Dickson retired Chris McConnell on a fly ball to right field and then struck out Jose Duarte looking to end it.
Springfield took a 1-0 lead in the third, when Daryl Jones' RBI double with two outs scored Jim Rapoport.
Wood (1-1) shut the offense down until the sixth inning, when Steven Hill and Mark Hamilton gave the Cards some insurance, each blasting a solo home run for a 3-0 lead.
In game two, the Naturals jumped on starter Brad Furnish for six in the second inning.
Springfield tallied five in the bottom of the frame though, cutting the Naturals' lead to just one. Steven Hill got the scoring started with a solo homer to left, his second of the day and seventh of the year, making it 6-1. Andrew Brown popped his first homer of the year with Daniel Descalso aboard, making it a three-run game at 6-3. With the bases loaded, Naturals' starter Matt Kniginyzky walked Jim Rapoport to force in a run, then hit Daryl Jones, making it 6-5.
The Naturals got two runs back against new Springfield reliever Joe Williams. Jeff Howell's solo shot made it 7-5. Kurt Mertins' infield single scored Josh Johnson to make it 8-5.
The Redbirds pulled to within one, scoring twice in the fourth. Rapoport doubled home Mike Folli to make it 8-6. Rapoport later scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Brett Wallace, making it a one-run game again at 8-7.
Springfield finally grabbed the lead for good against reliever Gilbert de la Vara (1-1), scoring four in the bottom of the fifth inning. Pete Kozma's two-out single tied the game, as Descalso came home to even the game at 8-8. After Rapoport reached on an error to load the bases, Jones walked, forcing home the go-ahead run at 9-8. Wallace followed with a two-run single to give the Cards some breathing room at 11-8.
Jones capped a three-run sixth, with a two-run single, putting the Cards in front comfortably at 14-8.
Tyler Norrick, who followed Eddie Degerman, allowed a run in the seventh, but picked up his second save of the year. Degerman (1-1) earned his first win of the year with two scoreless frames.
Your first-place Cardinals improve to 15-10 and now own a three-game winning streak. Springfield tries for four in a row on Thursday, sending Tyler Herron (1-1) to the mound, opposite Dan Cortes (0-4) at 7:10pm. The Cardinals are home through Friday night against Northwest Arkansas, as everyone will enjoy a spectacular Fireworks Display on Friday, thanks to AM Pyrotechnics. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com. Escape to Hammons Field....Go Cards!
Texas League Stories from May 6, 2009
- Rogers Shines As Drillers Split Doubleheader - Tulsa Drillers
- Fixler Goes Deep; Arguello Goes the Distance - Corpus Christi Hooks
- A season-high eight-run first inning propels RoughRiders past Missions - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cards Take Double-Header...Home Through Friday - Ozarks Springbirds
- Cardinals broom Naturals in Wednesday twinbill - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Help Stamp Out Hunger Thursday Night - Arkansas Travelers
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