Drillers hang on in slugfest, 10-8

Springfield, MO - Despite a two-run homer by 3B Ruben Gotay in the top of the ninth, the Tulsa Drillers hung on for the 10-8 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 4,110 fans at ONEOK Field on Sunday night. The Cards remain only 1.0 game behind the 1st-place Arkansas Travelers with eight games remaining in the Regular Season.

Springfield (31-31, 64-66) swung in front first, plating two runs against RHP Christian Bergman in the top of the third inning. With SS Luis Mateo on at second base and two down, CF James Ramsey ripped an RBI single to left-center field, cracking the scoreless tie. Ramsey then raced all the way home on an RBI double by LF Adam Melker just inside the left field line, making it 2-0.

The Drillers (29-33, 63-67), though, responded with three runs against RHP Richard Castillo in the bottom of the third. With a runner at second and one away, CF Delta Cleary, Jr. singled in the Drillers first run. He then raced in on an RBI triple by 2B Angelys Nina, before an RBI base hit from 1B Kyle Parker lifted Tulsa in front, 3-2.

After the Drillers added two more in the bottom of the fourth, the Cardinals raced back with three runs in the top of the seventh. The inning began with three consecutive singles from 3B Ruben Gotay, 1B Xavier Scruggs and 2B Colin Walsh, with Walsh's base hit bringing in Gotay. After a sacrifice bunt by Mateo, pinch-hitter Starlin Rodriguez ripped a game-tying, two-run single down the left field side, plating Scruggs and Walsh for the 5-5 tie.

However, Tulsa came right back with five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning against LHP Danny Miranda (L, 0-1). The Drillers loaded the bases with one away, moving back in front on an RBI single by LF Juan Crousset that also kept the bases full. Pinch-hitter Dustin Garneau unloaded the bases with a grand slam, swinging the Drillers ahead, 10-5.

Springfield chipped away with an RBI single by RF Stephen Piscotty in the eighth, before Gotay's two-run homer in the ninth got the Cards within only two runs of tying it. However, RHP Cole White (17) took over and, after a single by Scruggs, induced a broken bat grounder by Piscotty, and Tulsa escaped for the 10-8 win. RHP Mike Solbach (W, 1-1) registered the win for the Drillers.

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

The Cardinals continue the road trip in Tulsa on Monday 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.

Springfield returns home for the final home series of the 2013 Regular Season, starting on Saturday, August 31. That night will feature the Mercy Knit Scarf Giveaway (2,500), along with AM Pyrotechnics End of Season Fireworks. The Cardinals will also be wearing Teal Pinstripe Specialty Jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit GYNCA. First Pitch is 6:09pm, gates open at 5:09pm.

The Cardinals then take on the Tulsa Drillers again on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6:09pm for the Purina Bark in the Park, when all fans can bring their dogs to the game. The night will feature a pregame pet parade, with all fans that bring pets invited to march around the field. To participate in the parade, please arrive at the ballpark by 5:30pm.

The Sunday, Sept. 1 game will also feature the Purina Pet Food Bowl Mat Giveaway for 2,500 fans. Sunday's game will be a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with free ice cream for kids before the game, and then all kids can run the bases after the game. Gates open at 5:09pm.

The Cardinals then wrap up the 2013 Regular Season on Monday, Sept. 2 with a 12:09pm First Pitch. The Labor Day ballgame is Fan Appreciation Day, with all fans in attendance receiving a free ticket voucher for a 2014 game.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Cake Pop Company 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 Cardinals full 2013 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

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