Cards Win Fourth Straight, Share First Place
Published on April 27, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The Springfield Cardinals kept their winning streak alive, picking up their season-best fourth straight in a 5-2 win over the Tulsa Drillers on Sunday afternoon at Drillers Stadium in Tulsa. The win for Springfield gives the Cards a share of first place and clinches a winning road trip, as they've won five of their first seven on the eight-game road trip.
Cards' starter Jaime Garcia was brilliant again, notching his team-leading third win of the year. Garcia allowed just two runs on two hits over six innings. The left-hander was chased after opening up the seventh inning with consecutive walks, as Tulsa looked to come back from a 3-1 deficit. Fernando Salas came out of the bullpen and allowed one of the two inherited runners to score, but kept the Cards in front at 3-2.
Springfield took the early lead, capitalizing on Tulsa starter Ching-Lung Lo's wild pitch, as Jose Martinez scored from third with two outs for a 1-0 lead.
The Drillers got a two-out hit from Jeff Dragicevich, scoring Dexter Fowler from second in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1.
Springfield took the lead for good in the sixth inning, as Allen Craig lined a two-run double down the right-field line, scoring Shane Robinson and Jon Jay to make it 3-1. Lo (0-5) would finish the sixth, allowing three runs on four hits over six full innings in taking the loss.
After Salas got out of the seventh inning with only run scoring, the Cards got some help in the eighth for some additional insurance. With runners at first and third and two outs, Jose Martinez rolled what should have been the inning-ending ground ball to second baseman Corey Wimberly. Wimberly mishandled the ball though, allowing Martinez to reach and Robinson to score from third for a 4-2 Springfield lead. Brandon Yarbrough followed with an RBI single to right field, scoring Mark Hamilton from second for a three-run Springfield advantage at 5-2.
Luke Gregerson followed Salas out of the bullpen with two scoreless innings of relief, picking up his third save of the year, all on the current road trip.
Jon Jay finished the game 2-4 and now has a team-best eight-game hitting streak.
Clayton Mortensen (1-1) and the Cardinals look for the four-game sweep on Monday morning, as they face the Drillers in the final game of Springfield's eight-game road trip. Mortensen will be opposed by Tulsa left-hander Xavier Cedeno (2-2). Game time from Tulsa on Monday morning will be a special start time of 10:05am.
The Cards return to Hammons Field on Tuesday, April 29th, as they face the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in the opening game of an eight-game home stand. The upcoming home stand includes Friday Night Fireworks, Great Southern Kids' T-Shirt Giveaway, "Pink in the Park" Night and much more.
The upcoming home stand will kick off with Leukemia / Lymphoma Society Night, as we try to set a World Record! Fans will be given kazoos upon entering Hammons Field and then during the seventh inning stretch, we'll try to break the World Record for most people playing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" with kazoos. It's all in an effort to help raise awareness and money for the Leukemia / Lymphoma Society. To help LLS, purchase your tickets online at www.springfieldcardinals.com/lls and a portion of your ticket will help LLS raise money. Be sure and use the password LLS.
Tickets are available all regular season home games at Hammons Field by calling the Cardinals Ticket Line at (417) 863-2143 or on the website at www.springfieldcardinals.com. To reach the Cardinals Front Office, please dial our new number at (417) 863-0395. We hope to see you at Hammons Field very soon. Go Cards and Get Your RED On!
Texas League Stories from April 27, 2008
- Naturals Rise Above Travs In 13 Innings - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals Need 13 Innings, But Beat Travelers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Big Fifth Carries Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Garcia Bests Lo - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Win Fourth Straight, Share First Place - Springfield Cardinals
- Harrison, Ex-Hook Capsize Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi Hooks
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