Tough 9th Leads to Loss
Published on April 29, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Springfield, MO - With a chance to get a series split in the series finale against Northwest Arkansas, the Cardinals looked to starter David Kopp to keep the Naturals' bats quiet. Kopp would go three innings before allowing his first hit, a lead off double to Mike Moustakas in the 4th, but did not allow him to score.
The score was 0-0 going into the bottom of the 4th as Pete Kozma would draw a one out walk. With two outs and Kozma still at first, Andrew Brown reached first on an infield single down the third base line and Kozma hustled to third. Aaron Luna followed with a single to right scoring Kozma and moving Brown to third to give the Cards a 1-0 edge. Jim Rapoport would then collect and RBI infield single to score Brown and give Springfield a 2-0 lead.
Kopp was outstanding on Thursday night as he went six scoreless innings allowing just four hits while striking out a season high six.
The Cardinals went to Blake King out of the bullpen and he allowed a lead off home run to Ernesto Mejia to bring the Naturals within a run in the 7th. Chris McConnell then walked with one out before the Cards went to bullpen and Tom Eager. McConnell then stole second and went to third on a ground out before scoring on a two-out RBI single by Johnny Giavotella to tie the game 2-2.
With the game still 2-2 going to the 9th the Cardinals brought in closer Eduardo Sanchez in hopes of keeping the tied, but he hit the first batter he faced before allowing a walk. Anthony Seratelli then bunted a ball back to Sanchez on the mound who then tried to get the out at third, but threw the ball down the left field line allowing a run to score and put runners at second and third. With one out, Sanchez was taken out of the game and Matt Meyer came in to face Mike Moustakas who hit a ground ball to Andrew Brown at third, but Brown's throw to first went down the right field line allowing two more runs to score. With the bases loaded and still only one out, Manny Pina lifted a sacrifice fly to right to score Moustakas before Ernesto Mejia followed with a three run home run to put things out of reach, 9-2. All the 9th innings runs scoring were unearned.
Springfield will begin a four game series against the Tulsa Drillers Friday. The Cardinals will send right hander Shaun Garceau (0-3) to the mound against right hander Ching-Lung Lo (0-0) of NW Arkansas. Game time is scheduled for 7:10pm.
Friday night, as always, will feature an AM Pyrotechnics Fireworks display once the game has concluded. For ticket information please visit the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at springfieldcardinals.com or call (417) 863-2143. Escape to Cardinals Baseball!
Texas League Stories from April 29, 2010
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- 'Riders Win in 11 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Brasier No-Hits Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Tough 9th Leads to Loss - Springfield Cardinals
- Mejia's Two Homers Power Naturals to Victory - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Back Home Tuesday - Tulsa Drillers
- Top Prospect Montgomery Joins Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Stripes, Hooks Unveil Field of Dreams - Corpus Christi Hooks
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