Tulsa Drillers Hold Off Springfield Cardinals, 7-5

Originally Published: May 1, 2010 12:0 AM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri -- The Tulsa Drillers opened their four-game series with Springfield on Friday, narrowly escaping with a 7-5 win.

The Drillers posted two runs in the top of the first inning, taking a commanding lead. The Cardinals (12-9) answered back, scoring one run in both the second and third innings, tying the game at 2-2.

Tulsa’s Wilin Rosario hit his fourth homer of the season, earning two more runs in the top of the seventh. Jeff Kindel then hit a three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning, pushing the Drillers ahead 7-2.

Tulsa saw their win jeopardized in the bottom of the ninth, when Springfield put up three runs, including one RBI following a wild pitch. The inning’s three scores weren’t enough to close the gap, though, and the Drillers improved to 8-14 on the season.

The Cardinals and Drillers face off again Saturday at 2:10 p.m.