Drillers Lose on Walk-Off Home Run

Originally Published: Jul 19, 2010 10:50 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri -- After taking an early lead, the Tulsa Drillers gave up a two-run walk-off home run to fall to the Springfield Cardinals 6-4 Monday.

This was the Drillers’ second loss in a row, the first time they lost back-to-back games since June 23.

Stuart Pomeranz (1-5) came in to close the game in the ninth, but blew his third save of the season, allowing the walk-off home run to Matt Carpenter. He also was credited with a loss for the outing. Francisco Samuel (2-0) received a win for the game after pitching just one full inning.

Tulsa jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first on a Bronson Sardinha two-run home run to right field.

In the top of the third, Jason Van Kooten singled to left field to bring Sardinha home from second to take a 3-0 lead. Two at-bats later, Wilin Rosario homered to left field to take a five-run lead.

Springfield scored its first run in the next half inning, when Daryl Jones homered to center field to close the lead to 5-1.

It all fell apart for Tulsa in the bottom of the seventh. An Andrew Brown RBI single scored one and loaded the bases for Springfield. Drillers’ pitcher Corey Riordan walked two consecutive batters to score two and pull within 5-4, setting up the game-winning blast..

Tulsa will try to snap its losing streak in a doubleheader starting at 6:10 p.m.