Tuesday Win Sets up Friday Showdown
Published on June 23, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The Springfield Cardinals set themselves up for a "winner-take-all" game with the Tulsa Drillers, defeating the Arkansas Travelers by a score of 5-2 on Tuesday night at Hammons Field.
After 70 games and a half-season, the Cards and Tulsa Drillers finish with identical records of 38-32, tied atop the North Division. The new tie-breaker rule states that the two tied teams will break the tie with their first meeting in the second half. That meeting will take place at Drillers Stadium, this Friday night, as Trey Hearne (7-1) will take on Tulsa's Jhoulys Chacin (6-5).
Arkansas took the early lead on Tuesday, against Cards' starter Lance Lynn, as Branden Florence singled home Wil Ortiz to make it 1-0 in the second.
The Cards grabbed the lead with two in the third, taking a 2-1 lead. A two-out single by Daniel Descalso plated Antone DeJesus, tying the game at 1-1. With runners at first and third and two outs, Steven Hill hit a grounder to Ortiz at third base. Ortiz's throw skipped off the glove of first baseman Mark Trumbo, allowing Pete Kozma to score, giving Springfield a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth, Arkansas starter Barret Browning (0-6) fired a wild pitch with Jim Rapoport at second and Antone DeJesus at first. On the play, Rapoport scored all the way from second, putting Springfield in front by two at 3-1.
The Travs pulled to within a run in the fifth, as Hainley Statia brought home Florence with an RBI single, making it 3-2.
Lynn (6-2) was removed with a runner aboard and just one out in the sixth, as Eduardo Sanchez came out of the bullpen to retire both hitters he faced, with the tying run in scoring position.
The Redbirds loaded the bases in the sixth inning with no outs, but Browning struck out Tyler Henley, then got Daniel Descalso on a shallow pop-fly to left field. With two outs, Bryan Rembisz came out of the bullpen and promptly walked consecutive batters, forcing in a pair of runs, putting Springfield in front 5-2.
Sanchez worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning, then turned it over to Tyler Norrick, who worked a scoreless eighth. Francisco Samuel earned his 18th save of the year, working a scoreless ninth.
Springfield opens the second half at Hammons Field on Wednesday night, sending Brian Broderick (0-2) to the mound against Arkansas right-hander Tommy Mendoza (4-3). Come to Hammons Field on Wednesday and you could be one of the lucky fans to score free airline tickets thanks to Allegiant Air. Game time is 7:10pm and gates open at 6:10pm. Call (417) 863-2143 or get your tickets online at springfieldcardinals.com. We hope to see you on Tuesday night at Hammons Field...Escape to Cardinals Baseball!
Texas League Stories from June 23, 2009
- Cards Clinch Share Of North Division - Arkansas Travelers
- Tuesday Win Sets up Friday Showdown - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions Top Hooks, Win Half - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers, Cards To Play In Tulsa Friday For Title - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Win, Await Title Fate - Tulsa Drillers
- Adults to eat free at next Monday's Daygame! - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Reliever Holland added as All-Star - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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