Tulsa tops Cards in series opener

Springfield, MO - The Tulsa Drillers claimed the series opener against the Springfield Cardinals, 7-1, before 3,809 fans at Hammons Field on Monday night.

Cardinals RHP Kurt Heyer (L, 3-8) and Tulsa LHP Carlos Hernandez (W, 4-4) kept both lineups at bay through the first three scoreless innings, but the Drillers (15-16, 53-47) cracked the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth. RF Tyler Massey reached base on a fielder's choice, putting one man on with one down for 2B Taylor Featherston. Featherston came through with an RBI triple to right field, bringing in Massey for the 1-0 lead. Heyer, though, stranded Featherston at third with a lineout and a groundout around a walk, working out of the inning with only the one run coming in.

Heyer got back on track with a 1-2-3 fifth inning, but the Drillers opened the lead with a four-run rally in the top of the sixth. CF Delta Cleary, Jr. led off by being hit by a pitch, before racing to second on a single from Massey. Featherston then struck again with a three-run home run to left field, stretching the lead to four. 1B Ryan Casteel followed suit with a solo shot, increasing the advantage to 5-0.

Meanwhile, Hernandez continued to roll along on the mound for Tulsa with his first five frames tossed in scoreless fashion, before the Cardinals (11-20, 45-56) broke through in the bottom of the sixth. With one down, 2B Breyvic Valera sparked the offense with a base hit to right-center field. CF James Ramsey was hit by a pitch to put two men on, before Hernandez retired the frame's second out with a strikeout. 3B Patrick Wisdom, though, drove a two-out RBI single to center field, bringing in Valera from second base to cut it to a 5-1 deficit.

Drillers RHP Josh Mueller slowed the Cardinals comeback attempt with a pair of scoreless innings in the seventh and the eighth, before Tulsa padded the lead with a pair in the ninth. The Drillers loaded the bases with only one away in the top of the ninth, working three walks against LHP Lee Stoppelman. Massey then cashed in on the opportunity with a two-run single to center, stretching the advantage to six runs.

Tulsa LHP Ken Roberts relieved Mueller to start the ninth and worked around a pair of walks to post a scoreless frame, closing the 7-1 win for Tulsa.

St. Louis Cardinals LHP Kevin Siegrist continued his Rehab Assignment with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, scattering one single and walking one. All five of his rehab appearances have been scoreless.

Click here for the complete box score from Monday'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.

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2004 NL Championship Rings and $1 Dogs on Tuesday

The Cardinals and Drillers continue the series on Tuesday, July 22 with the St. Louis Cardinals 2004 National League Championship Replica Ring Giveaway (2,500) and Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

Springfield then wraps up the homestand with Wednesday Night Baseball and a 7:10pm First Pitch against the Drillers on Wednesday, July 23. 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.

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