TEXAS LEAGUE : Springfield rallies late to take over top spot
Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Springfield took over first place with a late barrage against Northwest Arkansas.
The Cardinals scored three runs in the eighth to break open a close game and take a 4-1 victory Sunday at Hammons Field. Springfield (17-12 ) won its fifth consecutive game to move a game ahead of the Naturals (16-13 ) in the Texas League North Division.
Once again, the offensive heavy lifting for the Cardinals was done by third baseman Allen Craig and shortstop Tyler Greene. Craig hit a home run in the sixth to tie the game at 1-1 and was 3 for 3.
In his last four games, Craig is 10 of 15 with 6 RBI. Greene homered in the eighth and extended his consecutive game hitting streak to 12.
The game was scoreless through five innings before each team scored a run in the sixth. In the bottom of the eighth, the Cardinals put the game away against Naturals reliever Tim Hamulack (0-1 ).
Greene led off the inning with his 16 th home run of the season. John Jay followed with a single and moved to third on Craig’s double.
After an out, Cody Haerther grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Jay. Isa Garcia drove in Craig with a sacrifice fly to center.
Fernando Salas earned his 17 th save of the season. Kyle Mura (3-1 ) earned the victory with four innings of relief of Chris Carpenter.
Carpenter, who has 100 major league victories, started for the Cardinals in a rehabilitation stint. Carpenter, the 2005 CY Young winner in the National League, pitched 4 innings and allowed 1 hit and 0 runs.
Carpenter hasn’t pitched since undergoing “Tommy John” ligament replacement surgery in his right elbow on April 1, 2007. He struck out four and walked four.
He got into brief trouble in the third when former Arkansas Razorback Cody Clark singled with one out and Irving Falu walked with two outs, but Carpenter retired Mario Lisson to end the inning.
Carpenter walked Kila Kaaihue and Cory Aldridge in the fourth, but got out of the inning by retiring Brian McFall on a fly ball and striking out Ovandy Suero.
The Naturals scored a run in the sixth against Mura. Lisson led off the inning with a single and stole second before Kaaihue walked.
Both runners advanced on a passed ball, and Mura intentionally walked Aldridge to load the bases. With two outs, Suero bunted for a single, scoring Lisson.
The Cardinals got the run back immediately when Craig hit his 18 th home run against Naturals starter Rowdy Hardy in the bottom of the sixth. Hardy pitched 7 innings and allowed 5 hits, 2 walks and 1 run while striking out 3. TRAVELERS 6, DRILLERS 5 Perhaps this home series with Tulsa is evidence that the Arkansas Travelers have gone from slumping to mere inconsistency.
Arkansas’ victory over the Drillers before 4, 335 on a steamy evening at Dickey-Stephens Park bore little resemblance to what took place about 24 hours earlier, a 13-1 thumping by Tulsa.
The Travelers got timely hits, including a game winning RBI single by Brian Stavisky, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Then there was the workmanlike start from right-hander Anthony Ortega, who grounded out seven innings on a season-high 114 pitches, allowing one run on five hits.
Arkansas stands a chance to post a 3-1 mark for this home stand depending on what happens tonight. That may not sound like much, but given that the Travelers entered the four-game series having lost seven of its last nine, baby steps count as big steps.
“Regardless of wins and losses, we’re trying to do the things that are going to help us in the post-season,” Arkansas Manager Bobby Magallanes said. “We need momentum. That’s something we want. That gets you going.”
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