Tulsa Snaps Four-Game Losing Streak

Originally Published: Jul 22, 2010 12:2 AM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri -- The Tulsa Drillers held off a late-game comeback to top the Springfield Cardinals 5-3 to snap their four-game losing streak.

Tulsa (45-49) jumped out to an early lead with a Wilin Rosario three-run home run in the top of the first inning and kept the lead intact through six due to a strong performance by starter Greg Reynolds.

Reynolds (4-3) allowed just three runners to reach scoring position through the first six innings. He allowed just six hits, one earned run and struck out seven in his 6.1 innings of service. David Kopp (8-2) was credited with the loss for Springfield (48-46) after allowing six hits and two earned runs in his 6.1 inning outing.

Two RBI singles in the top of the seventh pushed the Tulsa lead to five runs, but Springfield would try to pull off yet another late-inning comeback.

With one out on the board in the bottom of the seventh, Daryl Jones hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring Jose Garcia home from third. In the bottom of the eighth, Pete Kozma doubled to left field to score Chris Swauger home from first and Garcia would single in the next at-bat to bring him home and close the gap to 5-3.

But unlike the previous two outings, the Drillers’ closer held on to the lead in the bottom of the ninth by retiring three of the next five batters he faced.

Tulsa will finish its road series with Springfield at 7:10 p.m. Thursday, before returning home for a seven-game home stand.