Saturday
02May2009
Tulsa Drillers Turn Back Springfield Cardinals 5-3 - Texas League
Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 08:42AM TULSA - The Tulsa Drillers got a good start from Jhoulys Chacin, as they picked up their first win of the year over the Cardinals, defeating Springfield 5-3 on Friday night at Drillers Stadium in Tulsa.
Chacin (2-3) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, the second pitcher this week to take a no-hit bid into the sixth against the Springfield offense.
The Drillers scored an unearned run in the third to take the lead, as Daniel Mayora reached on an error and scored two batters later, on an RBI single by Anthony Jackson.
Springfield got the equalizer in the fifth, scoring a run before they ever had a hit against Chacin. With one out, Chacin issued three straight walks to load the bases. Antone DeJesus hit a come-backer to the mound, which Chacin came home for the second out. Chacin then hit the next batter, as starting pitcher Trey Hearne took a pitch in the back to force in the tying run.
Chris Nelson’s RBI single put the Drillers ahead to stay in the fifth inning, as he singled home Chacin, who opened the inning with a single. Hearne would depart with two on and one away in the fifth, giving way to Elvis Hernandez, who walked to straight hitters to force in a run, giving Tulsa a 3-1 lead.
Mike Folli’s RBI double chased home DeJesus in the seventh, as the Cards pulled to within a run at 3-2.
The Drillers got some key insurance in their final at-bat though, as Cards’ reliever Tyler Norrick surrendered a two-run shot to Cole Garner, giving Tulsa a 5-2 lead in the eighth.
Springfield mounted a rally in the ninth against closer Andrew Johnston, bringing the tying run to the plate. Despite giving up three hits, including an RBI single to Daryl Jones, Johnston earned his fourth save, getting Brett Wallace to ground out to end the game.
Hearne (1-1) pitched effectively over 4 1/3 innings, but took the loss, allowing three runs, one earned.
The Cards (12-9) are still up by a game and a half in the North Division over Northwest Arkansas. Ryan Kulik (0-0) makes just his second Double-A start on Saturday evening, taking on Tulsa right-hander Samuel Deduno (1-1) at 6:05pm.
The Cards will return to Hammons Field after their eight game road trip, taking on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Tuesday, May 5th, in the opening game of a four-game home stand. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com. Escape to Hammons Field….Go Cards!
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