Tulsa Drillers Snap Springfield Cardinals Streak with 6-4 Victory
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 02:10AM MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-The Springfield Cardinals saw their three-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday afternoon, as the Tulsa Drillers picked up their first win of the second half with a 6-4 victory at Drillers Stadium.
Three errors by the Cards and a late homer allowed to Ryan Harvey helped Tulsa win their first game of the series over Springfield.
With the game tied 3-3 in the seventh, Springfield reliever Marco Gonzalez (0-2) allowed a lead-off double to Rex Rundgren. Brad Corley followed with a grounder to short, as Rundgren chose to advance to third. Springfield shortstop Pete Kozma fielded the ground ball, but his throw to third was off the mark, allowing the runners to reach first and third safely. Jeff Kindel’s sac fly to deep center field broke the tie and put Tulsa ahead to stay at 4-3.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the bottom of the eighth, Sam Freeman coughed up a two-run homer to Harvey, as the Drillers extended their advantage to 6-3.
Springfield tried to take advantage of two Tulsa errors in the ninth, but closer Andrew Johnston got outs when he absolutely had to. After Steven Hill reached on a fielding error, Matt Arburr followed with a fly ball to deep left-center field. Left fielder Brad Corley set up in front of the wall to make the catch, but center fielder Anthony Jackson slammed into Corley at the last moment, jarring the ball from Corley’s glove. On the play, Hill scored to make it 6-4 and Arburr took third base. Jim Rapoport then walked, putting the tying run at first base. As Mike Folli struck out on a 2-2 pitch, Rapoport stole second base. But with the tying runs in scoring position, Nick Derba grounded back to the mound, giving Johnston his league-leading 22nd save of the year.
The Cards fell behind early, as starter Lance Lynn gave up two runs on four hits in the first inning, allowing Tulsa to take a 2-0 lead.
Tyler Henley, who had a big day with three of Springfield’s six hits, homered to open the fourth, putting Springfield on the board at 2-1, against Tulsa starter Greg Smith.
The Drillers got that run back in the bottom of the inning, as Smith’s infield single plated Darin Holcomb, making it 3-1.
Nick Derba’s RBI double brought home Folli in the fifth and Tony Cruz knocked in Henley in the sixth, as the Cards rallied to tie the game at 3-3.
Drillers’ reliever Andy Graham (2-3) gave up a run over 2 1/3 innings, but earned the win.
The Cards (3-2, 41-34) send Brian Broderick (0-3) to the mound on Monday night, in the final game before the two-day Texas League All-Star Break. Samuel Deduno (6-2) will throw for Tulsa. Game time on Monday night at Drillers Stadium is 7:05pm.
Are You an Insider Yet?
SZ Insider. A look ahead into the big player feature, the big story, tips, rumors, and special opportunities for collectibles and memorabilia only available for our insiders. Free monthly to your e-mailbox. Click the link to subscribe to this FREE newsletter!
Melissa Martinez | Comments Off | 




