Tulsa Drillers Win Series Opener at Springfield

Originally Published: Jun 25, 2010 10:51 PM CDT

Andrew Topps
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri -- The Tulsa Drillers held on for a 6-5 victory over the Springfield Cardinals Friday. The two teams combined for 24 hits.

Springfield had a runner on first with the game-winning run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth. But closer Scott Rice was able to get the game-ending strikeout to seal the win for the Drillers.

Charles Blackmon drove in two runs for Tulsa in back-to-back innings. He hit an RBI single in the fourth in the middle of a three-run inning for the Drillers. Blackmon hit another RBI single in the fifth to give Tulsa a 6-2 lead.

Steven Hill hit a solo homer in the bottom of the second inning for the first run of the game. He would drive in a run in his next plate appearance in the third to put the Cardinals on top 2-1.

Scott Beerer hit a solo home run with two outs in the third to tie the game 1-1.

Daryl Jones led off the seventh inning with a home run to right to cut the Springfield deficit to two. The Cardinals would get another single run in the eighth.

Bruce Billings (6-4) was credited with the win for Tulsa after giving up three earned runs in five innings.

Ryan Kulik (5-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) in five innings.

The two teams continue their series at 6:10 p.m. Saturday.