photo: Brandon Komar (Springfield Cardinals)
The St. Louis Cardinals system went 2-0 on Thursday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day Brandon Komar pitched 6 2/3 innings with one run given up and nine strikeouts in Springfield’s Game 2 victory. Other standouts include Sem Robberse, Chase Pinder and Mike Antico.
Results from games played on Thursday, September 21st.
Memphis 5, Charlotte 2 (Completion of 8/20 game)
The Memphis Redbirds (30-41) topped the Charlotte Knights (CWS, 17-54) in the completion of Wednesday’s contest at AutoZone Park.
The game was postponed on Wednesday after the top of the first inning. Starter Adam Kloffenstein surrendered a run in the first inning with two punchouts. Sem Robberse took the ball on Thursday, pitching six innings and was touched for a run on five hits, one walk and eight strikeouts.
With the Knights up one in the first inning, Chase Pinder responded in the second with a two-run home run. In the eighth, César Prieto broke a 2-2 tie with a triple to plate two runs. Preito came across on a throwing error.
PINDER! GONE! pic.twitter.com/DHQzGCeFlP
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 22, 2023
Chris Roycroft tossed a scoreless eighth to earn his fifth Triple-A win. James Naile saved his third game with a hitless ninth.
The lineup collected seven hits and four walks. Moisés Gómez was 2-for-3 with a walk and one run scored. Pinder and Prieto drove in two runs apiece.
On the bases, Kramer Robertson took his 22nd bag of the year. In the field, Naile committed a fielding error.
The Redbirds have long been eliminated from playoff contention in the International League West. The two teams still need to make up Thursday’s originally scheduled game, but they might not because both teams are out of playoff contention.
Friday’s game: vs. Charlotte, LHP Connor Thomas (4-4, 5.50) vs. RHP Johan Dominguez (0-3, 5.47) 7:05 CT
Springfield 6 at Arkansas 4 (Division Series Game 2)
In a win or go home situation, the Springfield Cardinals defeated the Arkansas Travelers in Game 2 of the Division Series at Dickey-Stephens Park. The deciding third game is Friday.
Brandon Komar had a very solid outing as he tossed 6 2/3 innings and gave up just one run. The right-hander earned the win after he fanned a career-high nine. Working in relief, Connor Lunn surrendered a run in 1/3 of an inning.
A must-win masterpiece by Brandon Komar, matching a career-high with 9 Ks!
6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 Ks for Komar#SGFCards 6@ARTravs 2
Through 7.0 innings pic.twitter.com/MMUsTiAS2o— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 22, 2023
The Cardinals scored all six runs between the second and fourth innings. Jacob Buchberger brought one across with a single in the second. In the third, Mike Antico scored one via sacrifice fly and Chandler Redmond doubled to plate one. Antico drove in two runs in the third inning with a single and one more came home after an error.
Mike Antico laces a two-run single that leads to another run scoring on an E9!! Antico has three RBIs through just 4.0 innings tonight!#SGFCards 6@ARTravs 0 pic.twitter.com/Bjmz4VkXOe
— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 22, 2023
Out of the bullpen, Ryan Shreve yielded two runs in 2/3 of an inning. Logan Gragg earned the save after 1 1/3 hitless innings.
Logan Gragg slams the door with four straight outs to nail down the save and 6-4 win for the #SGFCards, forcing a Game 3 in the North Division Championship Series! pic.twitter.com/UnvG0qvmJS
— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 22, 2023
Victor Scott was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jose Alvarez also had two hits. Antico drove in three runs in Game 2 of the division series. The lineup recorded 10 hits and three walks.
On the base paths, Scott and Arquímedes Gamboa each stole a bag. Komar picked a runner off first base.
After the victory, Springfield plays Arkansas in Game 3 on Friday night to decide who advances to the Texas League Finals, which will open on Sunday.
Friday’s game: at Arkansas, RHP Tink Hence (2-5, 5.47) vs. TBA 6:35 CT (Division Series Game 3)
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