Drillers Streak Ends
The defeat temporarily slowed Tulsa's push for a Texas League playoff spot. Northwest Arkansas defeated Arkansas, dropping the Drillers one game behind the Naturals with only four games remaining in the regular season.
Despite the loss, Tulsa still controls its own post-season fate because the Drillers and Naturals will conclude the regular season with a three-game series at ONEOK Field.
After being held to only one run and three hits the previous game, the Redbirds' offense struck quickly against Tulsa starting pitcher Christian Friedrich. Jose Garcia led off the game with a single, and Charles Cutler followed with another hit. Friedrich appeared to have the first out of the inning when he caught Garcia breaking for third, but the lefthander's throw sailed over the head of third baseman Erik Wetzel, giving the Cards the first run of the game. Later in the inning, Chris Swauger's base hit scored Cutler to make it 2-0.
The Drillers answered in the bottom of the first. With one out, Tommy Field singled and Ben Paulsen blasted his 19th home run to deep right-center field to tie the game.
A two-out rally plated two more runs for the Cards in the second inning. Garcia singled and scored on a triple from Cutler. Donovan Solano followed with a double that scored Cutler to give Springfield a 4-2 lead.
Tulsa cut the deficit to one with an unearned run in the third inning. Singles from Field and Wilin Rosario put runners at first and second with two outs. Bronson Sardinha hit a chopper over the mound that shortstop Garcia fielded cleanly, but his throw was sailed over the head of first baseman Eric Duncan and into the Drillers dugout, allowing Field to come home to make it 4-3.
Cutler struck again in the fourth inning to put the Drillers in a deep hole. One out singles from pitcher Joe Kelly and Garcia put runners at first and second. Cutler followed with a drive into the right field bullpen area. The homer was the catcher's 5th of the year and put the Cardinals in front 7-3.
It was a rough night for Friedrich. The Tulsa starter threw 79 pitches and lasted only 3 1/3 innings. He surrendered 7 runs (6 ER) and 10 hits and took the loss, dropping his record to 6-10.
Much of the damage was inflicted by Cutler and Garcia. Cutler had three hits and four runs batted and finished just a double short of the cycle. Garcia finished 4-5.
Tulsa bullpen was outstanding. Cory Riordan relieved Friedrich and retired all 11 batters he faced, five via strikeouts.
Casey Weathers worked a perfect eighth inning, striking out the side.
Offensively for Tulsa, Field accounted for two of his club's six hits.
The Drillers and Cardinals will conclude their series Friday night at ONEOK Field. Highly-touted pitching prospect Shelby Miller (8-3, 2.97 ERA) will take the mound for Springfield against Tulsa's Josh Sullivan (5-8, 5.61 ERA). Starting time is scheduled for 7:05PM with a Fireworks Show after the game.