Drillers battle out 3-2 walk-off win in 11 innings

Tulsa, OK - The Tulsa Drillers outlasted the Springfield Cardinals for a hard-fought, walk-off win, 3-2, in 11 innings before 4,176 fans at ONEOK Field on Wednesday night.

After Cardinals RHP Sandy Alcantara and Drillers RHP Mitchell White alternated a pair of scoreless innings to start, Tulsa (26-14, 58-52) broke through in the bottom of the third. With one down, White worked a walk to reach base. Consecutive singles from 2B Drew Jackson and SS Errol Robinson loaded the bases, before 1B Matt Beaty skied an RBI sacrifice fly to center field, plating White for the 1-0 lead for Tulsa.

White kept the one-run lead intact for the Drillers through his five frames, allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out five in just his third Double-A start.

Alcantara matched White with scoreless work of his own through the middle innings, keeping the Cardinals (24-16, 59-51) within striking distance until they got on the board in the top of the seventh against LHP Michael Johnson. With two down, LF Anthony García and 2B Eliezer Álvarez connected on consecutive singles, putting runners at the corners. SS Tommy Edman then came through with an RBI single to left field, scoring Garcia to tie the game, 1-1.

Alcantara started the bottom of the seventh inning with a fly out, but then lost SS Errol Robinson to a walk and gave way to LHP Corey Littrell. 1B Matt Beaty, though, rifled a single to right field that was bobbled by Garcia, allowing Robinson to go from first to third on the base hit and error. He then came home on an RBI fielder's choice from RF Kyle Garlick, lifting the Drillers back in front, 2-1.

The Cardinals refused to go down quietly, striking in the top of the ninth against RHP Corey Copping. With two outs, the bases empty and down to his final strike, Alvarez crushed a game-tying solo home run to left-center field, the deepest part of ONEOK Field, squaring the score at 2-2.

After RHP Rowan Wick dealt a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to force extra innings, the Cardinals threatened in the top of the 10th and top of the 11th, getting a runner to third in both frames, but Tulsa escaped each time.

The Drillers then dealt the final blow in the bottom of the 11th against RHP Landon Beck (L, 1-2). 3B Erick Mejia and C Garrett Kennedy worked back-to-back walks to start the stanza, before CF Johan Mieses was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Beck dug in with a pop out from 2B Drew Jackson, but pinch-hitting C Sean O'Connell lined an RBI single to right field, scoring Mejia to send the Drillers to the 3-2 walk-off win in 11 innings.
Route 66 Super Soft Shirts, Willie McGee Bobbleheads, Dance Party Fireworks and more during August 3 - 6 homestand
The Cardinals return home for the next fun-filled homestand from Thursday, August 3 - Sunday, August 6. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:

-Thursday, August 3, 7:10pm - Aaron Sachs & Associates Route 66 Super Soft Shirt Giveaway (2,000) and Klement's "Buck a Brat" Night. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, August 4, 7:10pm - AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Dance Party Music and a Specialty Jersey Auction to benefit the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, August 5, 6:10pm - Maria's Mexican Restaurant Willie McGee Career Highlights Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000). Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, August 6, 6:10pm - Sysco Foods Team Baseball Card Set Giveaway (2,000), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a 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 2017 Promotional Schedule and to order your tickets right now.
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