Cards Toppled by Midland, 14-7
Published on April 19, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Springfield, MO - Looking to win the series Tuesday afternoon, the Cardinals turned to right hander Kevin Thomas, working on nine days rest, against left hander Carlos Hernandez of Midland.
The long rest for Thomas may have gotten to the right hander early as he allowed a lead off double to Jermaine Mitchell then threw a routine ground ball into the right field stands to force Mitchell home from second base giving Midland a 1-0 lead. Shane Peterson then singled to put runners on the corners. Michael Spina followed by hitting into a fielder's choice plating the runner from 3rd making it 2-0. After another fielder's choice and an errant pick off attempt from Thomas, Jeremy Barfield singled to center field to force home another run giving Midland a 3-0 advantage after an inning.
In the 2nd, Midland continued to capitalize on Springfield mistakes as the lead off batter was hit by a pitch and Jason Christian reached on an error by Jose Garcia at second base. After a fly-out to center moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd, Thomas intentionally walked Jermaine Mitchell to get to Grant Green, who was just one for his last 20 coming into the game. Green made the Cardinals pay as he launched the first pitch he saw into deep left-center field for a grand-slam clearing the bases with the RockHounds in front 7-0.
Thomas would leave after just two innings of work allowing a season high seven runs, four earned, on five hits and he did not record a strikeout. The Cardinals turned to Richard Castillo in the 3rd and immediately gave Springfield their first pitching staff their first scoreless inning.
Springfield would start to chip away at the deficit getting a run in the 2nd on a two-out RBI double by Chris Swauger and a run in the 3rd on a two-out RBI double by Jermaine Curtis to make it a 7-2 game.
The Cardinals bullpen kept Midland's bats at bay as Richard Castillo and Ryan Kulik threw three scoreless innings. Springfield's offense took that momentum to the plate getting even closer in the bottom of the 5th when Alex Castellanos blasted a two-run homer to right to get the Cardinals within three runs, 7-4.
Errors continued to plague Springfield in the top of the 6th when Grant Green walked with one out and Shane Peterson grounded a ball under the glove of Matt Adams to put runners on the corners. Michael Spina then grounded into a fielder's choice plating Green bring to tally to 8-4. Matt Sulentic followed with a double putting runners at second and third. Jeremy Barfield then singled bringing home two more runs making the score 10-4.
Midland kept the pressure on the Cardinals in the 7th against Springfield reliever Matt Frevert with two straight singles and back-to-back walks to force in the first run of the inning. Shane Peterson followed with a two-run double into left center to put the RockHounds in front 13-4. Michael Spina then lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to make it a 10-run lead for Midland.
Springfield cut into the deficit again as Alex Castellanos hammered another two-run homer in the bottom of the 7th to bring the score to 14-6. They would add another run in the 9th as Jermaine Curtis bounced into a double pay to score Matt Adams to make it the final of 14-7.
Springfield will hit the road and begin divisional play beginning Wednesday night in Tulsa at 7:05pm. The Cardinals will send left hander Nick Additon to the mound against righty Cory Riordan of Tulsa in the series opener.
The Cardinals will return to Hammons Field Monday to begin an eight-game homestand against the NW Arkansas Naturals and Tulsa Drillers. Every Monday this year is Fazoli's Family Four Pack night where a family of four can receive four tickets, four shirts and a family meal for four at Fazoli's for just $40! Game time on Monday is 7:07pm and tickets are available by visiting the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at springfieldcardinals.com or by calling (417) 863-2143.
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