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Franklin, Peete help bring Cards to brink of title

(Elisa Chavez)
September 21, 2026

AMARILLO, TX - Tanner Franklin and Tai Peete set the tone for the Cardinals in a 7-2 win over the Amarillo Sod Poodles in Game 1 of the best-of-three Texas League Championship Series on Sunday night at Hodgetown. Franklin allowed two runs on seven hits over a career-high 6.1 innings

AMARILLO, TX - Tanner Franklin and Tai Peete set the tone for the Cardinals in a 7-2 win over the Amarillo Sod Poodles in Game 1 of the best-of-three Texas League Championship Series on Sunday night at Hodgetown.

Franklin allowed two runs on seven hits over a career-high 6.1 innings to earn the win in his first playoff start, He tied a career-best with nine strikeouts and did not issue a walk.

Peete went 5-for-5 out of the leadoff spot with a home run, double, and four RBIs.

Peete started the game with a single and ultimately scored the first run of the game on a two-run single by Won-Bin Cho.

Springfield added two more runs in the second inning on RBI-hits from Josiah Ragsdale and Peete.

Peete's three-run home run later in the game extended the lead to 7-0.

The win brought the Cardinals one win away from winning their second-straight Texas League title.

W: Franklin (1-0)
L: Sanchez (0-1)

NOTES:
• Peete is 6-for-6 with two home runs in and six RBIs in his last six at-bats going back to last Thursday at Tulsa.
• The Cardinals drew nine walks in the game including three from Cade McGee and two from Ragsdale.
• Springfield improved to 3-0 during the postseason.

UP NEXT:
• Texas League Championship Series Game 2
• Tuesday, September 22, 6:35 p.m. CT at Route 66 Stadium
• RHP Fajardo vs. RHP Curley
• Classic Rock 106.7 | springfieldcardinals.com | Bally Sports Live | MLB.tv