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Springfield Cardinals

Cardinals Hold off Midland in 5-3 Win

April 16, 2012 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Midland, TX - After a demoralizing 18-4 loss to Midland Sunday afternoon, the Cardinals were poised to snap their three-game losing streak with opening day starter Scott Gorgen on the mound. AJ Griffin, who had not allowed a run in 2012, took the ball for the RockHounds.

Both starters traded zeroes for the first four innings of the ball game. Springfield had a couple of different chances to get a run across but never capitalized on their chances.

Midland did not have a runner to second base until Jeremy Barfield doubled with two outs in the bottom of the a fifth. After a walk, Dusty Coleman doubled to right field to score the game's first two runs. Scott Gorgen walked the next two batters to load the bases, but buckled down to strike out Michael Choice to end the inning with Midland in front 2-0.

AJ Griffin had not allowed a run in 16 innings, but Springfield changed things in the 6th as Oscar Taveras and Tommy Pham singled and, with two outs, Adam Melker singled to right to tie the game 2-2.

In the 7th, Nick Derba led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on an error. With runners on the corners, Kolten Wong bounced back to the pitcher who bobbled the ball allowing Derba to score the go ahead run. With a runner at second and two out, Oscar Taveras tripled to left field giving Springfield a 4-2 advantage.

The Cardinals added a big insurance run in the 8th. Tommy Pham and Adam Melker started with singles before Rainel Rosario bounced into a double play. With two outs, Nick Derba singled to left scoring Pham to take a 5-2 lead. Derba finished 3-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.

Eric Fornataro threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen and Sam Freeman added a scoreless frame as well. Jorge Rondon came in to pitch the 9th and did not fare well. After a hit batter and a single, Rondon balked and walked a batter to load the bases. Keith Butler would come in out of the bullpen and struck out the next two hitters. With two outs, Conner Crumbliss singled to make the score 5-3, but Butler got Josh Horton to ground out to end the game and earn his first save of the season. Fornataro earned the win.

Springfield will conclude their three-game series with the Midland RockHounds Tuesday night at 6:30pm at Citibank Ballpark. The Cardinals will send lefty John Gast to the mound against Dan Straily of the RockHounds.

The Redbirds will return to Hammons Field Thursday, April 19th to begin divisional play against the Tulsa Drillers. 2,000 fans will receive a Replica World Series Ring. This piece of history will be a hot giveaway item so get your tickets and get to the ballpark early! And, every Thursday is Johnsonville "Buck a Brat" Night featuring $1 Johnsonville bratwurst all night long. Tickets are available by visiting the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at springfieldcardinals.com or by calling (417) 863-2143.

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