Gomber shines as Cardinals down Drillers, 4-1

May 7, 2017

LHP Austin Gomber tossed a stifling seven innings to help pace the Springfield Cardinals to the 4-1 win against the Tulsa Drillers before 5,113 fans at ONEOK Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Cardinals (15-13) got the bats going right out of the gates, striking for two runs in the top of the first against RHP Isaac Anderson (L, 0-4). CF Oscar Mercado started the game with a leadoff walk, followed by a base hit from 3B Bruce Caldwell. Anderson dug in and retired the next two in order, but LF Anthony García rifled a two-out RBI single past 2B Jose Fernandez to bring in Mercado and move Caldwell to third base. Caldwell then raced home when a passed ball skipped away from C Wynston Sawyer, doubling the early Cardinals lead to 2-0.

LHP Austin Gomber (W, 2-2) followed the early offense with a pair of scoreless innings, before the Cardinals added to the lead in the top of the third. 1B Jacob Wilson lined a base hit to left field to start the stanza. One out later, 2B Eliezer Álvarez pulled a sharp single through the right side, moving Wilson around to third. C Gabriel Lino then skied an RBI sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Wilson for the 3-0 lead.

The Drillers (13-16) got the run right back in the bottom of the third. With two down and the bases empty, 1B Michael Ahmed drove a solo home run just over the left field fence, shaving the Tulsa deficit to 3-1.

Gomber responded to the homer by retiring the next seven batters in a row, before the Cards stretched the lead back out in the top of the sixth. Alvarez opened the inning with a walk, before racing to third on a double from C Gabriel Lino. In his first game of the season with Springfield, RF Thomas Spitz came through with an RBI single to left field, plating Alvarez to make it 4-1.

Gomber walked the first batter in the bottom of the sixth, but then closed his outing by retiring the next six in a row. Overall, he retired 13 of the last 14 batters that he faced, firing a stellar seven innings with only one run on two hits, two walks and three strikeouts.

RHP Trey Nielsen (S, 1) picked up right where Gomber left off, dealing two perfect innings to close the 4-1 win for the Cardinals.
Friday Night Fireworks, St. Louis Cardinals Replica 1967 World Series Championship Rings, Trucker Caps and more during May 15 - 22 Homestand
The Cardinals continue the road trip in Tulsa on Monday at 11:05am in Tulsa. Catch all the action live on KBFL 1060AM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

The Cardinals return home for an eight-game homestand from Monday, May 15 - Monday, May 22. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:

-Monday, May 15, 6:30pm - Monday Night Baseball vs. the Tulsa Drillers. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Tuesday, May 16, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, May 17, 11:10am - Day Baseball, Missouri Department of Conservation Educational Day and the "Marketing, Selling and Promoting the Cardinals" pregame program for students. Gates open at 10:10am.

-Thursday, May 18, 7:10pm - Rescheduled Expedia Umbrella Giveaway (2,000) and Klement's "Buck a Brat" Night. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, May 19, 7:10pm - AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring "Ohs," "Whoas," and other sounds. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, May 20, 6:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals Replica 1967 World Series Championship Mystery Ring Giveaway (2,000). Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, May 21, 2:10pm - Central Bank of the Ozarks Trucker Cap Giveaway (2,000), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 1:10pm.

-Monday, May 22, 11:10am - Day Baseball vs. the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Gates open at 10:10am.

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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