Springfield, MO – The Tulsa Drillers claimed the 4-2 win against the Springfield Cardinals to open the 2nd Half of the season before 2,996 fans at Hammons Field on Tuesday night.
Tulsa (1-0, 34-37) took an early lead, striking against RHP Sandy Alcantara (L, 3-5) in the top of the first inning. CF Tim Locastro was hit by the first pitch of the game, before stealing his way around to third base with a pair of swipes. One out later, 3B Edwin Rios drove an RBI double to right-center field, bringing in Locastro for the 1-0 lead.
Alcantara got on track with a scoreless top of the second, before Springfield (0-1, 35-36) squared the score in the bottom of the frame. With two down and the bases empty, 2B Dickie Joe Thon singled himself on. C Andrew Knizner then tattooed a two-out RBI double to left-center field, bringing in Thon all the way from first base for the 1-1 tie.
The Cardinals then swung in front in the bottom of the fourth inning. Leading off the frame, 1B Bruce Caldwell sent a towering shot to right field for a solo home run, his eighth long-ball of the year, lifting the Cardinals into the 2-1 advantage.
The Drillers, however, responded right away in the top of the fifth inning. With one away, Locastro doubled himself on. 2B Jose Fernandez followed with a walk, before Rios belted a three-run home run to right field, catapulting the Drillers into the 4-2 lead.
Alcantara finished his outing with a scoreless sixth inning, before a scoreless relief inning apiece from LHP Ian McKinney, RHP Tyler Bray and RHP Landon Beck to stay within striking distance.
The Drillers, though, countered with 3.0 scoreless innings from RHP Corey Copping (W, 4-1) and RHP Yaisel Sierra (S, 3) out of the bullpen, closing the 4-2 win for Tulsa.
