TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Springfield Takes Game One from Naturals in 12 Innings

Published on September 9, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Springdale, AR - The rain came to a screeching halt on Thursday morning and stayed away to allow the Cardinals an NW Arkansas Naturals to get their best of five series under way.

After a scoreless first inning, the Cardinals struck for the first run of the game in the 2nd inning. Matt Carpenter led off with a double and Xavier Scruggs followed with a single. On the single, left fielder Tim Smith over ran the ball allowing Carpenter to score on the error giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

Scott McGregor started for Springfield for the first time since September 1st and worked two scoreless innings stranding three runners on base in the process. In the 3rd, McGregor allowed a lead off single to Derrick Robinson, but he was caught stealing to erase the runner. Johnny Giavotella then struck out before Eric Hosmer blasted a two-out solo homer to center field to tie the game 1-1.

Naturals starter Danny Duffy settled in after allow the 2nd inning run as he did not allow a hit over the next three innings. In the 6th, Aaron Luna was able to reach on a one out double and Andrew Brown followed with a walk. Matt Carpenter then came up and struck out to end the night for Duffy with 10 strike outs. With two outs, NW Arkansas summoned Blake Johnson from the bullpen and he retired Xavier Scruggs on a ground ball to end the Springfield threat with the game still tied 1-1.

Springfield would jump out in front in the top of the 8th as Pete Kozma launched a solo home run over the bullpen in left field to give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead.

Scott McGregor began the 8th inning by allow a base hit to Chris McConnell who was then sacrificed to second base. With one out, Johnny Giavotella flied out to right field for the second out of the inning. Eric Hosmer then came up and drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Texas League Triple-Crown winner Clint Robinson then came up and rolled a ball to first base that Xavier Scruggs gloved, but his throw to first was over the head of McGregor allowing McConnell to score to tie the game on the throwing error. McGregor would exit the game after the infield single and gave way to Ramon Delgado who got Paulo Orlando to ground out to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

Neither team scored in the 9th to send game one went into extra innings.

Ramon Delgado pitched perfectly out of the Cardinals bullpen as he retired all seven batters he faced in 2.1 innings of work.

Springfield would put a scare into the Naturals in the top of the 11th as Andrew Brown led off with a double to knock reliever Blake Johnson from the game, but Matt Carpenter failed to sacrifice Brown to third as Brown was thrown out by Rowdy Hardy. With a runner at first and one out, both Xavier Scruggs and Jose Garcia struck out against Patrick Keating to end the inning.

In the 12th, the Cardinals got a huge boost as Antone DeJesus led off with a triple to get the inning started. Pinch-hitter Chris Swaugger then grounded to short and Daryl Jones struck out for the fourth time in the game keeping DeJesus at third base. With two outs, Pete Kozma blasted the first pitch he saw over the bullpen in left field for his second home run of the game, this one a two-run shot, to put Springfield up 4-2.

After Scott Gorgen threw a scoreless 11th inning, Blake King came in to try and save it in the 12th. After a strikeout, King walked Jamie Romak and allowed an infield single to Anthony Seratelli. Derrick Robinson then flied out to right for the second out of the inning. Johnny Giavotella then followed with an infield single to load the bases for Eric Hosmer. King would induce a fly out to center field from the dangerous hitter to preserve the 4-2 win to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the best of five series.

Springfield will continue their series against NW Arkansas Friday night in Game two. The Cardinals will send right hander David Kopp (12-4) to the mound against left hander Everett Teaford (14-3) for the Naturals. Game time is at 7:00pm. The Cardinals and Naturals split their season series 16-16.

The postponement Wednesday will affect tickets that have already been purchased for Friday's Game 3 at Hammons Field as those tickets are now good for the rescheduled Game 3 on Saturday at 6:10pm. Game 4 will now be on Sunday, September 12th at 2:10pm.

For fans that already have tickets for the originally scheduled Game 4 Saturday and would still like to use those tickets for Saturday's Game 3, your Game 4 tickets can still be used, but fans need to come by the Hammons Field Ticket Office on Traffic Way to exchange their tickets to get a new seat.

For example: If you have a ticket to the originally scheduled Game 4 Saturday Sept. 11 in section J, Row 14, Seat 4, and would now like to come to Game 3 on Saturday Sept. 11, that exact seats may already be accounted for by someone that purchased a ticket for originally scheduled Game 3 Friday. So, we ask that you stop by the Hammons Field Ticket Office to exchange your seats to ensure you get your playoff tickets in the seats you want.

Individual playoff tickets are on sale and for more information please visit the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at www.springfieldcardinals.com or call (417) 863-2143.

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Texas League Stories from September 9, 2010


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