TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Wisdom's Slam Drops Drillers

Published on June 15, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


The Springfield Cardinals got a pair of home runs from third baseman Patrick Wisdom, including a grand slam, and defeated the Tulsa Drillers 8-4 Tuesday afternoon at ONEOK Field. Wisdom, a former first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals, delivered his grand slam in the tenth inning after the Drillers had rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth.

The contest started 42 minutes late because of rain in the downtown Tulsa area, and the starting pitchers cruised through the first three innings.

Jonathan Rodriguez finally opened the game's scoring when he struck for Springfield in the top of the fourth. Nick Martini led off with a base hit before Rodriguez deposited a pitch from Mickey Storey over the centerfield fence for his eighth home run of the season.

Two outs later, Wisdom delivered his first homer when he hit an opposite field drive into the right field bullpens to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.

Tulsa's bats did not come to life until spot starter Corey Baker exited after five shutout innings. Reliever Jordan Swagerty opened the bottom of the sixth by hitting Adam Law with a pitch. Peter Lavin singled and Jarek Cunningham walked to load the bases. Lars Anderson brought two of the runners home when he grounded a double into the right field corner.

Brandon Dixon grounded out, but Shawn Zarraga and Nate Samson drew walks to force home another run that tied the game at 3-3.

The Drillers missed a chance to take the lead when Jeremy Rathjen hit a soft liner to second base that turned into an inning-ending double play when Zarraga journeyed too far from the bag at second.

Springfield promptly went back in front in its next at-bat. Former Drillers catcher Jose Gonzalez belted his first home run of the season with one out in the seventh to put the Cardinals back in front, 4-3.

The lead held until the Drillers rallied in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Kyle Farmer and Law singled before Lavin walked to load the bases. Cunningham struck out, but Anderson dropped a two-out single into shallow left field. Farmer came home on the hit, but Law, attempting to score the game-winning run, was thrown out at the plate to send the contest into extra innings and set the stage for Wisdom.

The Cards' rally in the tenth began when Rodriguez drew a one-out walk, and Anthony Garcia doubled. Ralston Cash intentionally walked Bruce Caldwell to load the bases, bringing Wisdom to the plate. The third baseman again delivered with a towering drive that landed in the Budweiser Terrace in left field.

The grand slam gave the Cardinals an 8-4 lead and Kyle Barraclough made sure that he held onto this lead. The reliever pitched around a one-out walk and base hit by Nate Samson to close out the contest.

Prior to the game, manager Razor Shines announced that infielder Luis Mateo had been assigned to Oklahoma City. Infielder Ronald Torreyes, who was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers from Toronto, was added to the roster to replace Mateo.

Tulsa and Springfield will close out their four-game series Tuesday night at ONEOK Field. Jose De Leon (0-2, 5.09 ERA) will take the mound for the Drillers, while Jimmy Reed (1-0, 1.54 ERA) will pitch for the Redbirds. Starting time is scheduled for 7:05PM.

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Texas League Stories from June 15, 2015


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