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TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Springfield two back with eleven to play

June 7, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


The Springfield Cardinals missed out on a golden opportunity to climb to within a game of the Tulsa Drillers on Wednesday night, falling to the Wichita Wranglers by a final score of 5-4 at Lawrence Dumont Stadium in Wichita. Tulsa, who lost 5-4 earlier in the day at home to the Arkansas Travelers in 12 innings, remains two games up on Springfield in the North Division, with just 11 games to play in the first half.

Stuart Pomeranz and Zack Greinke both flashed signs of brilliance, as the two squared off on the hill on Wednesday night.

Greinke shined early in only his second rehab start for the Wranglers. The Kansas City Royals' right-hander retired the first 11 men he faced, striking out the side in the second inning.

Pomeranz got off to a shaky start, allowing two in the first and one in the second, but settled down nicely, working four straight scoreless innings to finish his night.

The Wranglers took the lead early, as Billy Butler and Dee Brown had run-scoring hits in the first to put Wichita up 2-0. They got another in the second, as Matt Tupman's sac fly plated Walter Sevilla from third base, making it 3-0.

The Cardinals got a spark from Juan Richardson, as he took Greinke deep in the fourth, his 11th homer of the year. Greinke followed with a two-out walk to Rico Washington, then allowed an RBI double to Iker Franco, making it 3-2.

The Cards got the equalizer in the sixth against Greinke, as Rico Washington's two-out double scored Mike McCoy, tying the game at 3-3.

The Cards got a stroke of bad luck in the bottom of the seventh. Justin Garza (0-2) retired the first two hitters he faced, but allowed a two-out single to Billy Butler. Mitch Maier followed with a fly ball towards the left field line that was apparently lost in the lights by left fielder Cody Haerther. On the play, Mike McCoy's relay throw to the plate short-hopped Iker Franco, allowing Butler to score. McCoy's throw then popped into the air and landed in the Cards' dugout, allowing Maier to also score, making it 5-3.

The Cards got a run back in the eighth against eventual winner Devon Lowery (1-0). Mike McCoy, Reid Gorecki and Juan Richardson all had consecutive one-out singles. Gorecki's was ironically also lost in the lights by right fielder Billy Butler. Richardson's drove home McCoy from third base, making it 5-4. Wichita brought all-star reliever Ryan Braun into the game, who then struck out both Washington and Franco, ending the threat with two men on board.

The Cards got the lead-off man aboard on a Braun fielding error to open the ninth. But with pinch-runner Jarrett Hoffpauir at second base, Cody Haerther and Rayner Laya both struck out, giving Braun his seventh save of the year.

Pomeranz allowed a total of three runs on nine hits over six innings. He struck out four and walked just one in the no-decision. Greinke allowed three runs on just four hits, striking out six, while walking just one.

Springfield falls to 32-25 with their third straight loss, still two games back of Tulsa. Wichita is now just seven games back of Tulsa at 28-31, winning their fifth straight game with the victory. Mike Parisi (3-2) will try to turn the Cards around on Thursday, as he takes on Wichita's Kyle Middleton (3-3). Game time from Wichita on Thursday is 7:05pm.

The Cardinals return home from their 12-day road trip on Saturday, June 10th. Don't forget about AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks on Friday, June 16th and White Cardinals Cap Night as 5,000 fans will receive a free white Cardinals cap thanks to Coca-Cola on Saturday, June 17th. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com.

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