The Springfield Cardinals got offensive production throughout their lineup Saturday night in defeating the Tulsa Drillers. The Cards erupted for 16 hits, including three from starting pitcher David Kopp, and outscored the Drillers 10-6 at ONEOK Field. With the loss, Tulsa fell three games behind first-place Northwest Arkansas in the North Division standings.
Besides Kopp, three other Cardinals picked up three hits in the game. The group included Matt Carpenter, Steven Hill and Aaron Luna. The 16 hits were the second-most surrendered by Tulsa pitchers in a game this season.
For Carpenter, the Texas League's leading hitter, it was another big night. The third baseman had four hits in Friday's game and now has seven hits in two games this series.
The Cardinals offensive onslaught began early as they scored in the top of the first inning for the second straight night. Thomas Pham led off the game with a double and advanced to third on a fly out from Pete Kozma. Pham then scored the game's first run on a ground out from Hill.
Bronson Sardinha got the run back for the Drillers in the bottom of the first with a solo home run to right field. It was the outfielder's 9th home run of the season.
The Redbirds quickly went back in front when the first two batters in the second inning reached. Luna led off with a base hit and scored on a double by Xavier Scruggs.
A big third inning put Springfield further in front. Carpenter led off with a single, and Hill followed with his 20th home run to make it 4-1.
The Cards were not through in the third, as Brown followed the homer with a double into the left field corner. Luna then lined a single into left field, and when Charlie Blackmon overran the ball, Brown came home to up the lead to 5-1.
Springfield's bats continued to produce in the fourth. Pitcher David Kopp singled, one of his three hits in the game, in front of Pham's ground-rule double. Kopp came home on Carpenter's sacrifice fly, while Pham scored on Hill's base hit.
The Drillers cut into the six-run deficit with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Jordan Pacheco, playing in his first Double A game, and Jeff Kindel started the inning with back-to-back singles. Both runners scored on a double by Hector Gomez. Warren Schaeffer then made it four straight hits with a single to center field that scored Gomez to make it 7-4.
Tulsa crept closer in the fifth as Anthony Jackson led off with a triple into the right field corner and scored on a sacrifice fly by Pacheco.
The Cardinals increased their lead to 8-5 in the seventh courtesy of Luna's 12th home run of the year.
They added two more runs against reliever Adam Jorgenson in the eighth. Jorgenson was appearing in his first game with the Drillers since being promoted for Class A Modesto.
The Drillers closed the scoring in the bottom of the eighth as Gomez doubled and scored on a hit by Schaeffer.
Tulsa used five pitchers in the game. Alberto Alburquerque turned in the best performance, surrendering only two hits in 2 1/3 innings of work.
Offensively, Gomez picked up two hits for the second straight game. Schaeffer and Jackson also collected two hits each.
It was a tough night for Tulsa starting pitcher Brandon Durden. The lefthander allowed 12 hits and 7 runs in 3 2/3 innings. It was the first time this season that Durden has not lasted at least five innings in a start.
The Drillers will look to get their first win of the series Sunday night. Cory Riordan (6-4, 4.12 ERA) is the scheduled starter for Tulsa, while Springfield will counter with Brian Broderick (5-2, 3.39 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:05PM at ONEOK Field in downtown Tulsa.
