Drillers Pull Off Ninth-Inning Comeback to Top Springfield

Tulsa trailed by one run as the game closed, but took advantages of the Cardinals' pitching troubles.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:22 pm

By: News On 6

Drillers Pull Off Ninth-Inning Comeback to Top Springfield

Originally Published: Apr 30, 2011 9:50 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri -- The Tulsa Drillers closed out the month of April with a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Springfield Cardinals with two runs in the top of the ninth inning Saturday.

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the ninth inning, Darin Holcomb drew a walk in the second at-bat of the inning to bring the winning run to the plate for Tulsa (12-9). Bronson Sardinha doubled to center field to bring Holcomb home and move to scoring position. Two at-bats later, Lars Davis knocked a ground ball single second base to bring Sardinha home and take a 3-2 lead.

Closer Jose Rada (1-2) received a loss for Springfield (9-13) the outing after blowing his second save of the season, giving up two hits and two earned runs in his two-thirds of an inning pitched. Stephen Dodson (4-0) remained perfect on the season, allowing one hit and one earned run in two innings of service.

Springfield jumped out to an early lead thanks to a leadoff home run from Thomas Pham in the bottom of the first inning, his fifth long ball of the season. Tulsa tied the game in the top of the sixth, but a wild pitch by Dodson scored Pham in the eighth to give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead.

Tulsa will play the second game of the four-game series at 2:07 p.m. Sunday.