Springfield 8, Tulsa Drillers 6

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) Gabe Johnson hits a first-inning grand slam, helping the Springfield Cardinals beat the Tulsa Drillers 8-to-6 despite managing only six hits. <br/><br/>Springfield led 7 to 6 Sunday

Monday, July 31st 2006, 5:36 am

By: News On 6

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) Gabe Johnson hits a first-inning grand slam, helping the Springfield Cardinals beat the Tulsa Drillers 8-to-6 despite managing only six hits.

Springfield led 7 to 6 Sunday after a wild first three innings, during which the Cardinals bolted to a 5 nothing lead before falling behind 6 to 5 and rallying.

Tulsa starter Zack Parker lasted only 2 and two-thirds innings, giving up seven runs and walking eight batters.

Tulsa's Alvin Colina hit a 2 run home run in the second inning and Christian Colonel did the same in the third, giving the Drillers a 6 to 5 lead.

Parker walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning before giving up a 2 run, 2 out single to Mike McCoy that put Springfield up 7 to 6.

Springfield added a run in the fourth on a solo home run by Amaury Marti, making it 8 to 6.

Eric Haberer won for Springfield despite giving up seven hits and six runs in five innings. Mark Worrell pitched a perfect ninth to record his 25th save of the baseball season.