O'Brien swings Drillers to late comeback win, 9-8

Tulsa, OK - Tulsa 1B Peter O'Brien delivered a go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the eighth, completing an eight-run comeback and sending the Drillers to the 9-8 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 4,183 fans at ONEOK Field on Monday night.

The Cardinals (19-17) controlled the first half of the game, opening an 8-1 lead through the first five and a half innings. Both sides traded a run in the third, before the Cardinals rallied for six tallies in the fifth. With two on and one away, RF Randy Arozarena brought in both runners with a two-run double for the 3-1 lead. A walk and a hit batter loaded the bases, and LF Victor Roache added to the lead with an RBI fielder's choice that plated Arozarena. A wild pitch scored CF Lane Thomas from third and left two runners on for 1B Chris Chinea, who laced a two-run single to right field, propelling the Cardinals to the 7-1 lead.

Springfield added on more in the top of the sixth with an RBI sacrifice fly from Thomas, making it 8-1.

Cardinals RHP Connor Jones kept the Drillers at bay with just the one run allowed on four hits and no walks, striking out four through his five innings. He needed just 54 pitches to log five frames and exited with the Cards ahead by seven runs.

However, the Drillers (19-17) started the comeback against LHP Ian McKinney in the sixth inning with a two-run shot from CF DJ Peters and an RBI single by C Keibert Ruiz. Tulsa added an RBI single from RF Luke Raley in the seventh to shave the deficit even further, down to just 8-5.

RHP Ramon Santos (L, 0-2) took over for the eighth and started the inning with a strikeout, but lost LF Zach Reks to a single. Consecutive walks loaded the bases for 1B Peter O'Brien, who promptly pulled a go-ahead grand slam down the left field line that was called fair by the umpires, lifting the Drillers into the 9-8 lead.

Tulsa RHP Andrew Istler (W, 1-0) dealt a second straight perfect inning in the top of the ninth, closing the 9-8 comeback win for the Drillers.

The Cardinals and Drillers continue the series in Tulsa on Tuesday 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.
Bark in the Park, Fans-on-Field Fireworks, Busch Stadium Exclusives Giveaways, Foodie Friday, On-Field Happy Hour and MORE coming in May!
The Cardinals return home on Friday, May 18, beginning a jam-packed schedule of promos, giveaways and theme nights for the second half of May!

Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:


GIVEAWAYS

- Saturday, May 19, 6:10 pm: Foundation Credit Union Red Cardinals Shirt Giveaway (2,000 fans)

- Sunday, May 20, 4:10 pm: Busch Stadium Exclusive St. Louis Cardinals Pet Treat Jar Giveaway (2,000 fans)

- Thursday, May 31, 7:10 pm: Busch Stadium Exclusive St. Louis Cardinals Replica 1968 National League Championship Ring (2,000 fans)


THEME NIGHTS

- Friday, May 18, 7:10 pm: Fans-on-Field Fireworks Featuring Time Machine Songs / Foodie Friday featuring All-You-Can-Eat Springfield Cashew Chicken

- Sunday, May 20, 4:10 pm: Purina Bark in the Park, where you can bring your Very Good Pup to the ballpark!

- Thursday, May 31, 7:10 pm: Pre-Game On-Field Happy Hour featuring stadium drink specials


FAN FAVORITES

- Sunday, May 20, 4:10 pm: Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday / Kids Run the Bases

- Tuesday, May 29, 6:30 pm: Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day

- Thursday, May 31, 7:10 pm: Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night

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