Washington homers twice in 7-5 win against Rockhounds
May 30, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Rico Washington picked up his second multi-homer game in three days and Jordan Pals turned in another quality start on Tuesday night, as the Springfield Cardinals knocked off the Midland RockHounds by a final score of 7-5 at CitiBank Ballpark in Midland.
Washington connected for a solo shot in the third, tying the game at 1-1. His three-run shot in the seventh gave Springfield a 7-3 lead. Washington now takes over the team lead in homers with 12 and continues to lead the Texas League with 47.
Springfield starter Jordan Pals (4-1) worked six innings, allowing three runs on 11 hits. The right-hander struck out five and walked just one, earning his second straight win.
After Washington's solo homer in the third, Springfield scored two more runs, taking a 3-1 lead against Midland starter Brad Knox. With runners at first and third and two outs, Knox apparently had Juan Richardson picked off at first base. Midland first baseman Brant Colamarino dropped the ball though, as Nick Stavinoha raced home from third, putting the Cards up 2-1. Richardson then scored from second base, as Iker Franco delivered an RBI double down the left field line, making it 3-1.
Midland got a solo homer from Kevin Melillo in the fourth, making it 3-2. They tied the game against Pals in the fifth, as Vasili Spanos knocked in Travis Buck with an RBI single.
Springfield took the lead for good in the seventh against Midland reliever Justin Crowder (1-1). With the bases loaded and one out, Cody Haerther delivered a sac fly, scoring Jarrett Hoffpauir from third, giving Springfield a 4-3 lead. Washington followed with his second homer of the game, a line drive into the Midland bullpen in right field.
Midland got a pair of runs against Rich Scalamandre in the bottom of the seventh. With runners at first and second and one out, Cory Doyne came out of the bullpen and fanned both men he faced. Doyne went on to work a 1-2-3 eighth inning, then turning it over to Mark Worrell in the ninth. Worrell hit Spanos to open the ninth, bringing the tying run to the plate. Colamarino grounded into a 3-6-1 double play, as Juan Richardson made a back-handed stab to begin the twin-killing. Worrell then struck out Matt Allegra to end it, giving him his 14th save of the year, tied for tops in the Texas League.
With the win, Springfield moves to 31-19, now one game ahead of Tulsa in the Texas League's North Division. On Wednesday night, the Redbirds send Chris Lambert (4-4) to the mound against Midland's Ben Fritz (1-3). Game time from Midland on Wednesday night is 6:30pm. The Cardinals return to Hammons Field after their 12-day road trip on Saturday, June 10th to face the Arkansas Travelers and Tulsa Drillers, in the final home stand of the first half. Tickets are always available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com.
• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...
Texas League Stories from May 30, 2006
- Washington homers twice in 7-5 win against Rockhounds - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers streak ends - Tulsa Drillers
- Frisco dominates Travs in doubleheader sweep - Arkansas Travelers
- No game Tuesday in Wichita - TL1
- Wichita Wranglers rain out - Wichita Wranglers
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.
