Playoffs Start Tomorrow
September 8, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The 2009 Texas League Playoffs are set to open at Hammons Field on Wednesday night, as your Springfield Cardinals host the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in the opening game of the North Division Finals. Game two in the best-of-five series will also take place at Hammons Field on Thursday, while the remaining games in the series (four and five if necessary) will be held at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas.
Playoff tickets will be the same affordable price as regular season tickets and are available for Wednesday and Thursday action, by calling (417) 863-2143 or by stopping by the Hammons Field Ticket Office.
2,000 lucky fans in attendance on both Wednesday and Thursday, will receive a Cardinals Playoff Rally Towel, thanks to Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
The Redbirds finished the year with just a 14-18 record against the Kansas City Royals' Double-A affiliate, going 7-9 at Hammons Field, with an identical mark of 7-9 at Arvest Ballpark.
The 2009 Playoffs represents the second respective trip for each organization to the playoffs. The Cardinals swept Tulsa (3-0) before falling to San Antonio (3-1) in the Texas League Championship Series, in their only prior trip to the playoffs back in 2007. The Naturals were swept by eventual Texas League Champion Arkansas Travelers in last year's opening round. The winner of this series will meet the winner of the Midland/San Antonio series in the Texas League Championship Series.
Game 1 Pitching Match-up:
Northwest Arkansas RHP Anthony Lerew (10-6, 4.09) vs Springfield RHP Trey Hearne (12-3, 2.82)
The Cardinals will open the playoffs with their ace, as Hearne will work against the Naturals for the fifth time this season. While Hearne's overall numbers are off the chart, his head-to-head numbers against the Naturals aren't nearly as impressive. In his four starts, he's 2-1, but with an ERA of 4.63.
Opening up the series for the Naturals is Anthony Lerew, a former big-leaguer. After appearing in a total of 11 games for the Atlanta Braves over parts of three seasons, Lerew has spent his first year in the Kansas City system, exclusively in Northwest Arkansas. In seven starts against Springfield this year, Lerew posted a 3-2 record with an ERA of 3.48.
Game 2 at Hammons Field 7:10pm
RHP Blake Johnson (8-8, 4.57) vs RHP Lance Lynn (11-4, 2.92)
Game 3 at Arvest Ballpark 7:15pm
RHP Brandon Dickson (8-10, 3.78) vs LHP Rowdy Hardy (4-4, 3.43)
Game 4 (if necessary) at Arvest Ballpark 7:05pm
RHP Scott Gorgen (4-5, 5.20) vs LHP Everett Teaford (3-7, 5.11)
Game 5 (if necessary) at Arvest Ballpark 6:05pm
LHP Nick Additon (2-3, 3.19) vs RHP Federico Castaneda (0-3, 4.28)
SPRINGFIELD ROSTER MOVE
The Springfield Cardinals made a roster move on Monday, as infielder Donovan Solano has been promoted to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. Solano, who batted just .207 in 64 games with Springfield, will join Memphis in time for their opening round playoff series at Albuquerque, which also begins on Wednesday.
Joining Springfield is infielder Jose Garcia, who has been called up from Palm Beach of the Florida State League, where he was hitting .258 with a home run and 17 RBIs in 74 games.
MULLIGAN NAMED PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Cards' reliever Casey Mulligan, who factored in all four games in which he appeared in last week, has been named the Texas League Pitcher of the Week. Mulligan recorded two saves and two wins in his four scoreless outings. He allowed just two hits with no walks over four innings, striking out six batters.
Northwest Arkansas catcher Cody Clark was named the Texas League Player of the Week, as he batted .421 (8-for-19) with three homers and five RBIs in five games.
HEADIN' TO SPRINGDALE?
Fans interested in attending any games in Northwest Arkansas are encouraged to call the Naturals Ticket Office at (479) 927-4063 and ask for Dustin. The Naturals will be blocking off a specific section for all Cardinals fans making the short two-hour drive to Springdale.
GO CARDS!
Gates open on Wednesday evening at 6:10pm, with the first pitch for the opening round of the Texas League Playoffs coming at 7:10pm. Wednesday's game can be heard live on the radio home of your Springfield Cardinals, JOCK 98.7 FM, as well as online at springfieldcardinals.com. Great seats are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or by stopping by the Hammons Field Ticket Office. We hope to see you at Hammons Field for the 2009 Texas League Playoffs...Escape to Cardinals Baseball and Go Cards!
Texas League Stories from September 8, 2009
- Texas League Update - TL1
- Playoffs Start Tomorrow - Springfield Cardinals
- Reddehase Named Turf Manager of the Year - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Missions to Play Midland in Texas League Division Series Beginning Wednesday, September 9 - San Antonio Missions
- Cody Clark is Texas League Player of the Week - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
