Drillers' Home Woes Continue Against Springfield

Originally Published: Apr 23, 2010 10:38 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma – The Tulsa Drillers’ struggles at home continued Friday with a 4-3 loss to the Springfield Cardinals. Tulsa still has only one win at the new ONEOK Field.

The Cardinals (10-4) started quickly with a run in the top of the first. Adron Chambers led off the game with an infield single and followed by stealing second base. He advanced to third on one groundout, then scored on a second groundout by Steven Hill.

The Drillers (5-9) tied the score in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run by Wilin Rosario, but Springfield broke the game open with a three-run sixth. Andrew Brown connected on an RBI single, and James Rapoport drove him with a two-run home run in the next at-bat to give the Cardinals a 4-1 lead.

Tulsa tried to mount a comeback in the eighth inning. Anthony Johnson led off with a walk, and Jason Van Kooten drove him home with an RBI triple. Scott Beerer brought Kooten home with a groundout to cut the lead to one, but Ryan Harvey and Kenny Perez followed with two straight strikeouts to end the potential rally.

After Scott Gorgen (3-0) pitched the first seven innings for Springfield and Chuckie Fick held in the eighth, Adam Reifer dominated the ninth for the save.

Reifer struck out the first three batters he faced, but one of the knockout pitches got away from the catcher and allowed Kiel Roling to reach base. Reifer recorded a fourth out to seal the victory and clinch his second save of the year.

Gorgen earned the win after giving up four hits and one earned run in his seven innings of work. Bruce Billings (1-1) was credited with the loss for Tulsa after giving up five hits and four runs in his 5.1 innings of work.

The Drillers have lost seven of the eight games they have played at ONEOK Field. Their only win came against San Antonio on April 11. The Drillers and Cardinals will continue their four-game series at 6:05 p.m. Saturday.