Gaviglio and Cardinals dominate Drillers, 10-0

Springfield, MO - RHP Sam Gaviglio tossed a dominant six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts to help pace the Springfield Cardinals to the decisive 10-0 victory against the Tulsa Drillers before 3,823 fans at Hammons Field on Wednesday night. 1B Curt Smith helped lead the offense with a grand slam and five total RBIs.

After Gaviglio's (W, 5-10) first two scoreless frames, the Cardinals (13-20, 47-56) opened an early advantage against RHP Eddie Butler (L, 4-5) in the bottom of the second. With one down, RF Rafael Ortega reached base on a fielding error charged to SS Taylor Featherston. 3B Matt Williams followed with a walk to put two men on for SS Alex Mejia. The Cardinals executed a hit-and-run perfectly, with Ortega racing home on an RBI single from Mejia for the first run. On the first pitch of his at-bat, C Travis Tartamella then placed an RBI single through the right side, bringing home Williams to make it 2-0.

While Gaviglio continued to keep the Drillers (15-18, 53-49) off the board, the Cardinals stretched the lead in the bottom of the fifth. LF Mike O'Neill led off with a line drive to left-center, collecting his team-leading 83rd hit of the year. O'Neill darted to second on an errant pickoff attempt from Butler, before taking third on a sacrifice bunt by 2B Breyvic Valera. Smith then skied an RBI sacrifice fly to center field, bringing in O'Neill for Smith's first RBI on the night and the 3-0 lead.

Gaviglio finished his fantastic outing with a another scoreless inning in the top of the sixth, closing his performance with his ninth strikeout to end the frame. While he racked up the nine strikeouts, Gaviglio allowed only two hits and one walk, facing only three batters above the minimum through his six scoreless stanzas.

Springfield stayed on the attack in the bottom of the sixth inning. After a fly out, Mejia and Tartamella again rattled off consecutive singles, their second and third knocks of the night, respectively. A pinch-hit walk by OF James Ramsey loaded the bases, before CF Charlie Tilson tore a two-run single to left field, plating Mejia and Tartamella to open a 5-0 lead with his second and third RBIs in just his second Double-A game. O'Neill then reloaded the bases with a walk, before RHP Nate Striz induced a line out from Valera for the second out. However, Smith blew the game open with a grand slam to center field, just the Cardinals second slam of the season, increasing the advantage to 9-0.

RHP Sam Tuivailala picked up right where Gaviglio left off, striking out a pair in a scoreless seventh. LHP Lee Stoppelman then followed suit with two strikeouts in his scoreless eighth, keeping the Drillers off the board.

The Cardinals then padded the lead even further with their 10th run of the night in the bottom of the eighth inning. O'Neill led off with a single, his third time on base in five tries. Valera advanced O'Neill around to third base with a double to right field, before RHP Cole White retired the inning's first out on a line drive. Ortega, though, brought in O'Neill with an RBI groundout to second base, stretching the Cardinals lead to 10 runs.

RHP Chris Thomas took over for the top of the ninth and slammed the door, posting the scoreless final frame to close the 10-0 shutout victory for Springfield, their ninth shutout of the year.

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

Guarantee Individual Promo Items with the brand-new Promo Seats

The brand-new Promo Seats Package includes one Diamond Box Ticket for a game featuring a Promotional Item and guarantees that you receive one of that night's Promotional Items, plus a portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative to provide tickets for area youth and non-profit organizations.

By purchasing the Promo Seats, fans will have an item reserved for them regardless of where they are in line or what time they arrive at the game. And, for the first time, out-of-town fans that order a Promo Seat Package can choose to have their Promotional Item mailed to them for an additional shipping and handling charge of $10 per item. Both out of town fans and those unable to make the game may donate their game ticket to the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative.

Promo Seat Packages are just $28 each and there are only 61 available for each game. Call the Ticket Office at (417) 863-2143 right now to order yours!

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Bill Virdon Bobbleheads, Songs from Movies Fireworks, Pink in the Park Wristlets and Michael Wacha Bobbleheads coming up

The Cardinals hit the road for a 7:05pm game against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Thursday night. 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.

The Cardinals then kick off a four-game homestand on Thursday, July 31 with the Bill Virdon Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Wendy's - Sam, June and Mike Hamra for 2,500 fans. That Thursday is also a "Buck a Brat" Night featuring $1 bratwursts all game. First Pitch is set for 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

The series will also feature -

-AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Songs from Movies on Friday, August 1. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Rick's Automotive Pink in the Park Wristlet Giveaway for 2,500 fans and the Pink in the Park Jersey Auction to benefit BCFO on Saturday, August 2. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

-Maria's Mexican Restaurant Michael Wacha Bobblehead Giveaway for 2,500 fans, Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases on Sunday, August 3. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

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.

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