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Cardinals out-slug Drillers, 7-6

May 5, 2014

Springfield, MO - The Springfield Cardinals hit three of the game's five home runs, out-slugging the Tulsa Drillers, 7-6, before 4,701 fans at Hammons Field on Monday afternoon. RF James Ramsey helped pace the offense with two home runs and four RBIs.

The Cardinals (15-16) got out to a powerful start against RHP Richard Castillo, the former Springfield Cardinal, in the bottom of the first inning. With one away, CF Rafael Ortega reached on a fielding error by Castillo. Ramsey then hammered a two-run home run to right field, swinging Springfield into the 2-0 lead.

The Drillers (15-16) came back quickly with a two-out rally against RHP Kurt Heyer in the top of the second. With two down, 1B Harold Riggins kept the frame going with a base hit, followed quickly by a single from 3B Jayson Langfels. RF Jared Simon brought Riggins in from second base with an RBI single to center, before Castillo helped his own cause with a game-tying RBI single to left, squaring the score at 2-2.

Ramsey and the Cardinals, though, struck again in the bottom of the third. With two away, Ortega ripped a line drive single to center field to keep the inning going. Ramsey then crushed another two-run homer to straightaway center field, lifting the Cardinals back into the lead, 4-2.

Tulsa dealt the next blow in the top of the fifth inning, seizing the lead with three runs. SS Cristhian Adames extended the inning with a two-out single, before racing all the way in from first on an RBI double by C Tom Murphy. LF Brian Humphries followed with a two-run home run, tilting the Drillers in front, 5-4.

3B Patrick Wisdom swung the score back even in the bottom of the fifth, lining a solo home run over the left field wall. However, Tulsa 2B Joey Wong responded in the top of the sixth with a solo shot of his own, bumping the Drillers back in front, 6-5.

The Cardinals came back again in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ramsey led off with an infield single, before taking second on a 1B Curt Smith single. Wisdom then belted an RBI double off the left field wall, scoring Ramsey from second base and moving Smith to third. SS Matt Williams skied an RBI sacrifice fly to right field, plating Smith from third base to lift the Cardinals back into the lead, 7-6.

RHP Joey Donofrio (W, 2-0) finished his 1.2-inning outing with a couple of groundouts in the top of the eighth inning, before LHP Justin Wright induced a fly out for the final out in the frame. LHP Dean Kiekhefer (S, 6) took over for the ninth and tossed a 1-2-3 final frame, closing the 7-6 win for Springfield.

Click here for the complete box score from Monday's game.

Escape to Morning Baseball this Tuesday with $1 hot dogs

The Cardinals and Drillers wrap up the homestand on Tuesday with another edition of Morning Baseball and an 11:10am First Pitch. Tuesday is the KY3 Weather School and Life Lessons through Sports Educational Day. Tuesday is also a Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day with dollar hot dogs all game.

Rehabbing Cardinals RHP Jason Motte is still with Springfield and might also make another Rehab Appearance in Tuesday's game, so don't miss your chance to possibly see the big leaguer at Hammons Field!

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a The Cup 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 2014 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

Escape to Cardinals Baseball!