Roache's 2-run homer carries Cardinals past Drillers, extends division lead

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- To say Victor Roache is in heat-check territory wouldn't do it justice.

The big outfielder has put on a home run derby just for himself over the past week. Coming into Sunday, Roache had consecutive games with three-run homers, had hit jacks in four of his last six games and had five total home runs in the past week.

And he's not slowing.

Roache cracked a go-ahead two-run bomb in the bottom of the seventh in Springfield's 8-6 come-from-behind win Sunday over Tulsa in front of 4,320 fans at Hammons Field, pushing the Cardinals to a 1.5-game lead over the Drillers in the Texas League North.

The home run was his 10th of the season, putting him atop the Texas League.

He's hitting for average as well. Roache's 2-for-4 day means he's hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games and has reached base in 22 of his last 23.

Hector Mendoza (1-0) earned the win for Springfield, striking out six and allowing just a single hit over the game's final three innings. Mendoza has opened the season with 14 consecutive scoreless innings.

THE COMEBACK(S)

Springfield fell behind and tied Tulsa twice before Roache's shot.

The first came on a rally started by Saturday's star, Randy Arozarena. With the Cardinals trailing 2-0 in the fifth, Arozarena beat out an infield single that turned into a little league double off a throwing error. Ramón Urías answered with a liner into center that brought Arozarena in and cut Tulsa's lead to 2-1.

Urias advanced to second thanks to another throwing error, allowing Andrew Knizner to tie the game 2-2 on a rip to third that kicked into the outfield.

Tulsa went back up 6-2 with a four-spot in the sixth, but Springfield matched again.

Singles by Roache, Edmundo Sosa and Luke Dykstra opened the inning before Blake Drake made it 6-3 with a sac fly.

Then, after Arozarena grounded out, Urias drove a game-tying three-run shot to center that tied the game 6-6, setting up Roache's moment in the seventh.

Springfield starter Conner Greene tossed 3.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and seven walks while striking out five on 87 pitches.

Greene took two lengthy swings in his first career at-bat, striking out. In a lighter moment, he bowed to the crowd following his first swing-and-a-miss after stumbling nearly a third of the way down the first base line.

THAT'S OFFENSIVE

Springfield has been relentless at the plate over the past three games, scoring 24 runs on 36 hits. Every starting Springfield position player recorded at least one hit on Sunday, and only two starters have finished a game without a hit over this three-game stretch.

UP NEXT

The Cardinals host Tulsa for the third game of a four-game series Monday at 11:10 am. St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is expected to start for Springfield as part of a rehab assignment.

The series closes out on Tuesday night at 6:30 pm, which is a Klement's $1 Dog Day, where fans can enjoy Klement's famous hot dogs for just a buck.