Tulsa Drillers Win Streak Halted by Springfield Cardinals in 6-4 Loss

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – May 19, 2008 - The Tulsa Drillers 3-game winning streak came to an end Monday night with a 6-4 loss to the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field. The result snapped a franchise record 10-game losing streak for the Cards.
 
The Drillers took an early lead in the game as Tony Blanco plated Dexter Fowler with a sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning, but Springfield took the lead on a 2-run triple by Casey Rowlett in the bottom of the second.
 
The Cardinals expanded the margin to 3-1 in the third as Allen Craig doubled and scored on a base hit by Jose Martinez.
 
Tulsa starting pitcher Xavier Cedeno helped his own cause in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI single that scored Jeff Kindel. But, Springfield increased its lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth with a 2-run single by Jonathan Jay.
 

ADVERTISEMENT The Drillers added another run in the sixth on Justin Nelson's third home run of the season.
 
Trailing 6-3, Tulsa made things interesting in the ninth. Matt Miller extended his hitting streak to seven games with a one-out, pinch-hit double. After Corey Wimberly was retired on a bunt attempt, Dexter Fowler singled home Miller to make it 6-4. Representing the tying run, Chris Nelson was called out on strikes to end the game.
 
The Drillers lost despite out-hitting the Cards 12-11. Kindel and Justin Nelson led the attack with three hits each. It was the fourth straight game of at least three hits for Kindel. The Tulsa first baseman was 13-19 in the four-game series against Springfield.
 
Cedeno suffered the loss, surrendering 8 hits and 5 runs (4 ER) in 3.1 innings. Springfield starter Clayton Mortensen improved his record to 2-3 with the win. Fernando Salas pitched the ninth inning to gain his first save of the season.
 
Craig finished with three hits for the Cards but saw his streak of homering in three straight games end.
 
Tulsa will have an off day Tuesday before beginning a 3-game series against the Frisco RoughRiders Wednesday night at Drillers Stadium. The Riders are currently in first place in the South Division of the Texas League.
 
Tomas Santiago (2-2, 2.90 ERA) will make the start for the Drillers against Thomas Diamond, who will be making an injury-rehabilitation start for the Riders. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM.

Box Score: http://tulsa.drillers.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t260&t=g_box&gid=2008_05_19_tulaax_spraax_1

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