Springfield Trounces Drillers

Springfield starter Arturo Reyes came into Sunday's game against Tulsa with a 2.25 ERA in seven starts. Flashing a 94 mph fastball, Reyes proved that number was no fluke as he took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning while his teammates gave him plenty of run support in a rain-shortened 8-0 win over the Drillers at ONEOK Field.

The rain started coming down just as the eighth inning was getting underway. After a 33-minute delay, the umpiring crew called the game. Since the game was already in the eighth inning and the umpires decided the game would not be able to be completed, the score became final.

Drillers' starter Jeremy Kehrt began the day with a 2.92 ERA on the year. The right-hander has struggled this season during matinee games however, with a 4.95 ERA in 4 day starts. Unfortunately, that number would be a sign of things to come.

The Cardinals jumped out to a quick lead, scoring twice in the first and third innings respectively. In the top of the first, Springfield catcher Mike Ohlman began his big day at the plate as he cracked an RBI double over Nate Samson's head in left. Ohlman came around to score on the very next play as Jonathan Rodriguez grounded a single to right to give the Cardinals a 2-0 early advantage.

Springfield added on to the score in the third. Following two straight walks to lead off the inning, Ohlman smoked another RBI double to left to drive in Mike O'Neill. Two batters later, Nick Martini hit a ground ball that caromed off first baseman Lars Anderson's glove to second baseman Brandon Dixon and then back to Anderson who flipped it to pitcher Jeremy Kehrt for a rare 3-4-3-1 ground out. But Jeremy Hazelbaker scored on the play to put Springfield up 4-0.

Kehrt kept the Cardinals off the board for the next three innings before handing the ball to his bullpen. The Cardinals then took advantage of six walks in the seventh inning from two Tulsa relievers to double their advantage at 8-0.

Meanwhile, Reyes was dealing. After walking Jarek Cunningham in the first inning, Reyes retired the next 17 straight Driller batters before issuing a two-out walk to Anderson in the seventh. Kyle Farmer then broke up the no-hitter with a clean single to left, bringing an end to Reyes day. Reliever Chris Thomas came in and kept the shutout intact for Springfield as he struck out Brandon Dixon before the rain storms hit.

Reyes earned his fourth win of the year with his strong performance while Kehrt suffered his fifth loss of the season.

The Drillers and Cardinals will be back in action early Monday with the game scheduled to begin at 11:05 a.m. Getting the start for Tulsa will be Mickey Storey (1-1, 2.70 ERA) while Springfield will send Corey Baker (2-2, 3.34 ERA) to oppose him.