Drillers take 8-6 win on Sunday night

Tulsa, OK - The Tulsa Drillers topped the Springfield Cardinals, 8-6, before 6,915 fans at ONEOK Field on Sunday night.

The Cardinals (41-28, 76-63) came out swinging with a run in the top of the first against RHP Josh Sborz. CF Magneuris Sierra led off with an infield single, before stealing himself to second base. Two outs later, 1B John Nogowski extended the inning with a walk, before an RBI single from 2B Eliezer Álvarez brought home Sierra for the 1-0 lead.

Tulsa (44-25, 77-62) responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first against RHP Chris Ellis. A single and a walk started the stanza, before Ellis dug in with two straight outs. However, RF Blake Gailen plated both runners with a two-out, two-run single to swing Tulsa into the 2-1 lead.

An RBI single from Tulsa CF Johan Mieses in the bottom of the third extended the Drillers lead to 3-1, before the Cardinals tied it in the top of the fourth inning. With one away, a pair of new Cardinals in their Double-A debuts sparked the rally when C Brian O'Keefe doubled and 3B Andy Young singled, putting runners at second and third. Ellis helped his own cause with an RBI sacrifice fly to score O'Keefe. With one on and two away, Sierra scorched a double down the left field line, moving Young to third base. RF Oscar Mercado then placed an RBI single to the left side of the infield, bringing in Young for the game-tying run, 3-3.

Springfield struck next with an RBI single from O'Keefe in the top of the fifth, but the Drillers battled back with two tallies in the bottom of the frame. With one on and two away, SS Drew Jackson drilled an RBI triple before scoring when Mieses reached on a miscue, making it a 5-4 Tulsa lead.

Mercado tied the game with his third single and second RBI of the night in the top of the sixth, before the Drillers struck for a three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth against LHP Jacob Evans (L, 1-3). An error, an intentional walk and an unintentional walk loaded the bases with two away in the inning. 1B Peter O'Brien then unloaded the bases with a three-run double into the left field corner, opening an 8-5 lead for the Drillers.

The Cardinals responded with a run on an error in the top of the seventh, but RHP Tim Shibuya (S, 1) provided scoreless relief through the final 2.1 innings for the Drillers, closing the 8-6 win for Tulsa.
Thank You, Cardinals Fans!
The Cardinals wrap up the 2017 Regular Season in Tulsa on Monday at 1:05pm. Catch all the action live on KBFL 1060AM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

From everyone with the Springfield Cardinals, thank you to the best fans in Minor League Baseball for another fantastic season at Hammons Field!

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