Midland Steals One Late
May 31, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The Midland RockHounds tallied a run in their final at-bat, beating the Springfield Cardinals on Wednesday night by a final score of 4-3 at CitiBank Ballpark in Midland.
Tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth, Vasili Spanos' fly ball to left field was lost in the lights by left fielder Cody Haerther, allowing Jed Morris to score the winning run from second base, giving the Hounds their second win in the first three games of the series.
Cards' reliever Justin Garza (0-1) issued a lead-off walk to Jed Morris to open the eighth. After a sac bunt moved Morris to second, Vasili Spanos popped a ball up down the left field line. Cody Haerther, playing in straight-away left field, never saw the ball off the bat, as the ball landed a few feet in front of the warning track near the left field line.
In the ninth inning, the Cards had a chance to tie it, as Reid Gorecki earned a two-out walk, then advanced to second on a wild pitch by Midland's Marcus McBeth. With the tying run at second base though, McBeth struck out Haerther for the final out, securing his third save of the year.
The Cards had a couple of late chances, getting the lead-off man aboard in both the seventh and the eighth. Their best scoring chance came in the eighth, as former Cardinal Anthony Rawson walked the first two hitters to open the inning. Juan Richardson was called out on strikes though, and then Iker Franco hit into an inning-ending double play. Midland's Jared Burton (4-0) earned the win, getting Franco to hit into the twin-killing.
Springfield took an early 1-0 lead against Midland starter Ben Fritz, as Rico Washington drove home Cody Haerther with a first-inning double.
Midland got that run back in the bottom of the inning though, as Kurt Suzuki doubled to open the inning, then scored on a double by Travis Buck.
With the game tied 1-1, the Cards scored twice in the third. Jarrett Hoffpauir's fly ball to center was dropped by center fielder Matt Allegra to open the inning. Reid Gorecki's RBI groundout to short gave the Cards a 2-1 lead, scoring Hoffpauir from third. After a two-out double by Cody Haerther, his second hit of the game, Washington followed with another RBI double, making it 3-1.
Midland got a run in the third, on Suzuki's solo home run to right field, his fourth of the year, making it 3-2. Kevin Melillo's sac fly in the fourth tied the game at 3-3 against Cards' starter Chris Lambert.
Although he received a no-decision, Lambert pitched well on Wednesday night for the Cards. Lambert went seven innings for a second straight start, matching a season-best. Lambert allowed three runs on just five hits, while striking out six batters. The right-hander issued a season-low one walk.
The loss for the Cards drops them to 31-20 on the year, but still one game up on Tulsa in the North Division. Springfield sends Stuart Pomeranz (6-1) to the mound in the series finale on Thursday night. Pomeranz looks to become the Texas League's first seven-game winner, while Midland will counter with lefty Ray Aquilar (3-3). The Cardinals return to Hammons Field after their 12-day road trip on Saturday, June 10th to face the Arkansas Travelers and Tulsa Drillers, in the final home stand of the first half. Tickets are always available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com.
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Texas League Stories from May 31, 2006
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- Youth Baseball Clinic Sunday - Wichita Wranglers
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