Cards Hold Off Tulsa, Win 4-3
The Cardinals sent undefeated righty Richard Castillo to the hill against fellow righty Dan Houston of the Drillers.
Springfield got on the scoreboard first in the top of the 1st inning as Oscar Taveras hit a two out double and Audry Perez scored him with an RBI single to give the Cardinals a quick 1-0 lead.
After Richard Castillo tossed a scoreless 1st, the Drillers got to him in the second with one out. Castiilo allowed a single, a walk and another single to load the bases for Mike Mitchell who promptly singled to center field. Kent Matthes scored on the play, but Adam Melker threw out Tim Torres on the plate to limit the damage to just a run, tying the game 1-1.
In the 4th, Springfield got a lead-off solo homer from Greg Garcia to take a 2-1 lead. Xavier Scruggs followed with a double and Adam Melker was hit by a pitch. Richard Castillo then sacrifice the runners to second and third before Kolten brought home Scruggs courtesy of an error to give Springfield a 3-1 lead.
Chris Swauger homered with one out in the 5th to increase the Cardinals' lead to 4-1.
Tulsa responded with two outs in the bottom of the 5th as Josh Rutledge doubled and came in to score on Angelys Nina's bloop single to right to cut the Cardinals' lead in half, 4-2. Castillo had the tying run on first after a walk, but struck out Ben Paulsen to limit the damage to just the one run.
The Drillers added another run in the 6th against Castillo as Tim Torres singled and moved to third on a single by Lars Davis before Mike Mitchell delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 4-3. Castillo would leave after the 6th allowing three runs on eight hits with a season high seven strikeouts.
Deryk Hooker, Eric Fornataro and Keith Butler each tossed a scoreless inning to pick up a in for the Cardinals who also won their 6th straight series.
Springfield returns home tomorrow for an eight-game homestand against their division rival Arkansas Travelers and NW Arkansas Naturals. The Cardinals will send lefty Tyler Lyons to the mound against righty Matt Oye of the Travs. Game time is scheduled for 6:08pm
Every Sunday is a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday where all kids receive an ice cream treat on the Prime Patio prior to the game. Kids also can run the bases just like the Cardinals after the game! Sunday is also the Vision Clinic and Oakley Sunglasses Texas League Player of Year Matt Adams Bobblehead giveaway for 2,500 fans. Great tickets are still available, so visit the Hammons Field Ticket Office, go online at springfieldcardinals.com or call (417) 863-2143.
Escape to Cardinals Baseball!