Ortega and Wisdom lift Cards to 7-2 win in Tulsa

Tulsa, OK - CF Rafael Ortega and 3B Patrick Wisdom combined for five RBIs through the final two innings, helping lead the Springfield Cardinals to the 7-2 win against the Tulsa Drillers before 5,984 fans at ONEOK Field on Tuesday night. The Cardinals have won three straight and six of their last eight games, guaranteeing a series victory in Tulsa with back-to-back wins against the Drillers.

The Cardinals (17-22, 51-58) raced in front with a pair of early runs in the top of the first inning against rehabbing Colorado Rockies RHP Christian Bergman. With 2B Breyvic Valera on at first base, RF James Ramsey crushed an RBI double to right-center field. Ramsey's fourth double in the last three games brought in Valera all the way from first for the 1-0 advantage. On the play, Ramsey took third on a bobble on the relay throw, before darting home the final ninety feet on an RBI infield single from 1B Jonathan Rodriguez to make it 2-0.

RHP Mike Mayers kept the early lead intact through his first three scoreless innings, but Tulsa (16-23, 54-54) got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. 1B Ryan Casteel led off with a walk, followed by singles from LF Brian Humphries and SS Trevor Story to load the bases with no outs. 3B Jayson Langfels forced in the Drillers first run with an RBI walk. Mayers and the Cards, though, escaped further damage in the inning with Valera throwing a runner out at the plate on a fielder's choice, followed by a strikeout and a groundout to keep Springfield ahead, 2-1.

However, the Drillers evened it in Mayers' final frame, the bottom of the sixth. Story started the stanza with a double, before coming in on an RBI single from Langfels to square the score, 2-2. Mayers finished his quality start with no further damage done, dealing six innings with only the two runs and exiting with the game tied.

The tie remained intact with LHP Lee Stoppelman and RHP Sam Tuivailala (W, 1-0) navigating the Cardinals unscathed out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, which ended with consecutive strikeouts from Tuivailala.

Springfield then seized the lead in the top of the eighth against LHP Kraig Sitton (L, 3-5). With one away, Rodriguez delivered his second single of the game to get aboard. After a strikeout, 3B Patrick Wisdom extended the inning with a two-out walk. CF Rafael Ortega then lined a sharp RBI single to left field, with Rodriguez flying in from second base and sliding around the tag attempt of C Chris O'Dowd, scoring the go-ahead run for the 3-2 lead.

After the first scoreless inning from RHP Joey Donofrio (S, 7) in the bottom of the eighth, the Cardinals added four runs of insurance in the top of the ninth. LF Charlie Tilson extended his hitting streak to seven games with a leadoff infield single, before Valera ripped a single to put runners at the corners. After a strikeout, Rodriguez got on for the fourth time in the game, working a walk to load the bases. One out later, Wisdom crushed a bases-clearing, three-run triple to straight-away center field, bringing everyone in to make it 6-2. Ortega promptly plated Wisdom with an RBI double to right-center, capping the rally for the 7-2 advantage.

Donofrio worked around a one-out walk in the bottom of the ninth to post his second scoreless inning, closing the Cardinals 7-2 win. He struck out four of the seven batters he faced in total.

Click here for the complete box score from Tuesday's game.

Guarantee Individual Promo Items with the brand-new Promo Seats

The brand-new Promo Seats Package includes one Diamond Box Ticket for a game featuring a Promotional Item and guarantees that you receive one of that night's Promotional Items, plus a portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative to provide tickets for area youth and non-profit organizations.

By purchasing the Promo Seats, fans will have an item reserved for them regardless of where they are in line or what time they arrive at the game. And, for the first time, out-of-town fans that order a Promo Seat Package can choose to have their Promotional Item mailed to them for an additional shipping and handling charge of $10 per item. Both out of town fans and those unable to make the game may donate their game ticket to the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative.

Promo Seat Packages are just $28 each and there are only 61 available for each game. Call the Ticket Office at (417) 863-2143 right now to order yours!

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Bill Virdon Bobbleheads, Songs from Movies Fireworks, Pink in the Park Wristlets and Michael Wacha Bobbleheads coming up

The Cardinals go for the sweep in the road trip finale against the Tulsa Drillers on Wednesday at 7:05pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

The Cardinals then kick off a four-game homestand on Thursday, July 31 with the Bill Virdon Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Wendy's - Sam, June and Mike Hamra for 2,500 fans. That Thursday is also a "Buck a Brat" Night featuring $1 bratwursts all game. First Pitch is set for 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

The series will also feature -

-AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Songs from Movies on Friday, August 1. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Rick's Automotive Pink in the Park Wristlet Giveaway for 2,500 fans and the Pink in the Park Jersey Auction to benefit BCFO on Saturday, August 2. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

-Maria's Mexican Restaurant Michael Wacha Bobblehead Giveaway for 2,500 fans, Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases on Sunday, August 3. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a The Cup Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.

Click here for the complete 2014 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

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