Cardinals close First Half with 3-2 win

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Springfield Cardinals closed the First Half with a 3-2 win against the Tulsa Drillers on Monday at ONEOK Field, dashing any potential First Half Title hopes for Tulsa. The Second Half starts on Tuesday as the Cardinals continue the series in Tulsa at 7:05pm.

The Cardinals (33-37) again were first to get on the board, seizing the lead right away in the top of the first inning. With SS Edmundo Sosa at second and two away, 3B Evan Mendoza pulled an RBI single through the left side, plating Sosa for the 1-0 lead.

Cardinals RHP Anthony Shew (W, 4-2) kept the lead intact through his first two perfect innings, but the Drillers (34-36) evened it in the third. With RF DJ Peters at second and two outs, SS Errol Robinson bounced an RBI single through the middle, enabling Peters to race home from second and tie the game, 1-1.

Tulsa then tilted the lead in their direction in the fourth. With 3B Connor Joe at first base and one away, CF Yusniel Díaz ripped an RBI double inside the left field line, scoring Joe all the way from first for the 2-1 lead.

Shew, though, dug in from there and logged scoreless work throughout the rest of his 6.2 innings, finishing with just the two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five.

As Shew kept the Drillers from adding to their lead, the Cardinals rallied in the top of the seventh to seize the advantage. With RHP Andrew Istler (L, 1-2) on the mound, CF Lane Thomas started the stanza with a single. He took second on a groundout, and then moved to third on a base hit from C Andrew Knizner. RHP Corey Copping took over on the mound, but LF Victor Roache pulled a game-tying RBI single to left field, scoring Thomas to make it 2-2. 1B Chris Chinea then walked to load the bases, before RF Blake Drake battled out a go-ahead RBI walk, forcing in Knizner from third for the 3-2 advantage.

Shew exited with two on and two down in the bottom of the seventh and gave way to LHP Tommy Layne, who closed the seventh and tossed a scoreless eighth. RHP Yeison Medina (S, 3) then posted a perfect ninth, closing out the 3-2 win for the Cardinals.
Chris Carpenter Bobbleheads, Red Dry Fit Polo Shirts, Fans-On-Field Fireworks and more June 21 - 24
The Cardinals open the Second Half of the season on Tuesday in Tulsa at 7:05pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyotes Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

The Cardinals then return home from Thursday, June 21 - Sunday, June 24 for a fun-filled four-game set, featuring:

-Thursday, June 21, 7:10 - St. Louis Cardinals Chris Carpenter Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000) and Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, June 22, 7:10pm - Fans-On-Field Fireworks & Margaritaville Night at the Ballpark with a Margaritaville Themed Specialty Jersey Auction. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, June 23, 6:10pm - Mercy Red Dry Fit Polo Shirt Giveaway (2,000). Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, June 24, 6:10pm - Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.


For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.
Click here to view the full 2018 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now!