Tulsa takes series opener before 8,273 fans at Hammons Field

Springfield, MO - The Tulsa Drillers took the series opener against the Springfield Cardinals, 13-3, before the sellout crowd of 8,273 fans at Hammons Field on Saturday evening.

Springfield (29-31, 63-67) struck for the early lead right away in the bottom of the first inning against LHP Carlos Hernandez (W, 5-7). The Cards opened the contest on fire with three straight singles by 2B Breyvic Valera, SS Alex Mejia and C Cody Stanley to load the bases with no outs. Valera then raced in from third base when 1B Jonathan Rodriguez grounded the ball to short, despite the Drillers turning two on the play. Hernandez closed the frame with a strikeout, but the Cards seized the early 1-0 advantage.

The Drillers (26-34, 64-65) responded right away in the top of the second against LHP Ryan Sherriff (L, 2-6), making a spot start on the mound. A single and a walk started the frame with a pair of Drillers on, before Sherriff induced a fly out to center. CF David Kandilas, though, floated an RBI single to shallow left field to bring in SS Trevor Story from third and tie the game. Kandilas swiped his way to second base, before both runners scored one out later on a two-out, two-run single from C Chris O'Dowd, lifting the Drillers into the 3-1 lead.

With RHP Seth Blair taking over on the mound to start the top of the fourth, the Drillers added one to the advantage. 3B Jayson Langfels worked a walk to start the frame, before RF Jared Simon was hit by a pitch. Kandilas then drove an RBI double to center field, bringing in Langfels to make it 4-1.

After a solo shot by 2B Taylor Featherston in the top of the fifth, the Cardinals responded with one in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one away, LF David Popkins lined a single to left field, promptly taking second base on a wild pitch. After a fly out, Valera placed a single to the right side of the infield, leading to a throwing error on 1B Ryan Casteel, who tried to flip the ball to the covering pitcher. The single and error combined to enabled Popkins to score from second on the play, bringing the Cards back within three runs, 5-2.

However, the Drillers opened the lead further with five more runs in the top of the sixth. With RHP Dixon Llorens on the mound, Simon was hit and Kandilas walked to put two men on. After a strikeout, O'Dowd knocked an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly from LF Brian Humphries to make it 7-2. Featherston, 1B Ryan Casteel and Story then strung together three consecutive RBI doubles, capping the rally with Tulsa ahead, 10-2.

Kandilas continued a great night for Tulsa, drilling a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to add three more runs to the lead. Springfield kept swinging to the end, plating one run in the bottom of the ninth. CF Charlie Tilson started the inning by reaching on a two-base error, followed by a walk from Popkins. A double play ball left Tilson at third, before Valera lined an RBI single to left field for his third knock of the night, bringing in Tilson and accounting for the final score of 13-3 in the Drillers win.

Click here for the complete box score from Saturday'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!

Click here for more information on Cardinals Promo Seats.

Bark in the Park, St. Louis Cardinals Fleece Blankets, Free Ice Cream for Kids and Kids Race the Bases on Sunday

The Cards continue the final homestand of the 2014 Regular Season on Sunday, August 24 with the Purina Bark in the Park promotion and St. Louis Cardinals Fleece Blanket Giveaway (2,500). It is also a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with free ice cream for kids before the game. All kids can then run the bases after the game in The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases promotion. First Pitch is 5:10pm, gates open at 4:10pm.

The homestand also includes:

-Pasta Express $1 Kids Toasted Ravioli Night for all kids, 12-and-under, on Monday, August 25. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day on Tuesday, August 26. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Budweiser Commemorative 10th Season Beer Stein Giveaway (2,500, ages 21+) and "Buck a Brat" Night with $1 bratwursts all game on Thursday, August 28. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Fan Appreciation Day Free Vouchers for a 2015 Game and AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring the Top Hits of 2014 on Friday, August 29. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

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.

Click here for the complete 2014 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

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