Drillers And Cardinals Split Doubleheader

The Tulsa Drillers and Springfield Cardinals opened the final series of the regular season Saturday night at ONEOK Field with a doubleheader, and the two teams split the contests. In the opener, the Cardinals rallied with four runs in the final inning for a 5-2 win. In the nightcap, Tulsa plated the only run in the fifth inning and posted a 1-0 victory.

The second game victory improved the Drillers record to 70-67 and guaranteed them a winning season with only two regular season games remaining.

In the first game, the Drillers did something they had not done all season: lost a game when they carried a lead going into the final inning. Tulsa, who owned a perfect 58-0 record when ahead entering the final frame, owned a slim 2-1 lead entering the seventh and final inning and watched the Cardinals rally with four runs in their final at-bat.

The Drillers had led throughout the game after taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The run came when Taylor Featherston drew a walk, advanced to third on a hit by Ryan Casteel and scored on another base hit from Tyler Massey.

They doubled the margin with a two-out rally in the third as Massey drew a walk and scored on a double by Trevor Story.

Tulsa's Ryan Arrrowood, who was making only his second start of the season, kept the Cards off the scoreboard through the first four innings before running into trouble in the fifth. He hit Jonathan Rodriguez with a pitch to open the inning. After a fly out, Rodriguez moved to second on a ground out by David Popkins and then scored on a single by Matt Williams.

It remained 2-1 until the Cardinals big seventh inning. Singles by Rodriguez and Popkins put runners at first and second with one out. Williams drew a walk to load the bases before Alex Mejia delivered a game-tying base hit. A sacrifice fly from Greg Garcia put the Redbirds in front before Breyvic Valera capped the outburst with a two-run single that made it 5-2.

In the bottom half of the seventh, base hits by Delta Cleary Jr. and Featherston gave Tulsa a chance, but Joey Donofrio retired Casteel on a strikeout and Massey on a ground out to end the threat and the game.

In game two, the only run of the game scored on a disputed play.

Tulsa's Shayne Broyles and Springfield's Ryan Sherriff, both normally relievers, made rare starts and pitched effectively. The game was scoreless through the first four innings before Tulsa broke through in the fifth.

Will Swanner opened the inning with a double into the left field corner. After a strikeout and a ground out, Swanner was at third with two outs. Cristhian Adames hit a slow chopper up the third base line that appeared to be heading into foul territory. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom charged in and tried a barehanded pickup, but failed in his attempt. As the ball rolled foul, Swanner crossed home plate with the run.

Wisdom and Springfield manager Mike Shildt quickly argued that the third baseman never touched the ball and that it should have been ruled foul. However, after a conference among the umpires, the call stood and the Drillers had a 1-0 lead.

After Broyles blanked the Cards on only two hits through the first four innings, Josh Mueller surrendered only one hit in two scoreless frames.

Cole White pitched a 1-2-3 final inning to complete the shutout and collect his 16th save in 17 opportunities.

Tulsa and Springfield will be back in action Sunday night at ONEOK Field. The pitching matchup will feature St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha. Wacha, who is recovering from a stress reaction in his right shoulder, will be making his first rehab appearance. He was 5-5 with a 2.79 ERA in the majors this season before going on the disabled list. Wacha is expected to throw 30-40 pitches in the start.

The Drillers will counter with Jayson Aquino, who will be making his ONEOK Field debut after surrendering only two runs in six innings in his Double-A debut last week in Springfield. First pitch on Sunday is slated for 7:05 p.m.