MIDLAND - Chris Carter’s walk-off home run snapped Midland’s eight-game losing streak, as they defeated the Springfield Cardinals on Monday night, by a score of 7-6 at Citibank Ballpark in Midland.

Brandon Dickson, who worked seven innings of relief, as starter David Kopp was on a 45-pitch limit, pitched an outstanding game. He did make one mistake however, giving Carter a pitch to handle with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, as Carter ripped it down the left-field line for his 14th homer of the year.

Dickson (6-6) allowed just two runs, one earned, over seven innings of relief.

Springfield found themselves in an early 5-0 hole, as Kopp, fresh off the Disabled List, labored through just 1 2/3 innings.

Kopp allowed two in the first, then three in the second, highlighted by Adrian Cardenas’ two-run homer, as the Hounds led 5-0 after just two innings.

The Redbirds were resilient though, scoring six times in the next inning to take a 6-5 lead.

Pete Kozma’s bases-loaded single put Springfield on the board at 5-1. Shane Peterson beat out a fielder’s choice to bring home another run. On the play, a throwing error by shortstop Michael Affronti allowed another run to score, making it 5-3. Steven Hill followed with a run-scoring hit, pulling the Cards to within a run at 5-4. After Tyler Henley singled, Tony Cruz followed with an RBI hit, scoring Hill to even the game at 5-5 against Midland starter Justin Souza. With the bases loaded, reliever Arnold Leon walked Mike Folli, forcing Henley home to give the Cards their only lead at 6-5.

The lead was short-lived, as Alex Valdez opened the third with a double, then advanced to third on an error. An RBI ground-out from Matt Sulentic tied the game at 6-6.

The game remained tied over the next six innings, until Carter’s walk-off shot.

Midland reliever Steven Sharpe (3-0), who got into some eighth-inning trouble, picked up the win in relief. Sharpe walked Henley to open the eighth, then allowed a one-out single to Andrew Brown. With runners at first and third and just one out though, Sharpe popped up Folli for the second out, then struck out Colt Sedbrook to end the threat.

Springfield looks to take the series on Tuesday, sending Ryan Kulik (3-6) to the hill, opposite Midland’s Travis Banwart (6-3). Game time from Midland on Tuesday night is 7:00pm.

The Redbirds (9-8, Second Half, 47-40 Overall) return to Hammons Field on Thursday, July 16th, opening a four-game series against the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com. We hope to see you at Hammons Field...Escape to Cardinals Baseball!

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