Redlegs Offense Wakes Up in Win Over Cardinals

05/09/2011
 

After scoring only 2 runs the previous week in a loss to the Royals and mustering only an unearned run in the 1st 3 frames against the Cardinals, the Redlegs bats needed a wakeup call. That spark may have been provided ironically enough on defense by catcher Steve Benthal.

The Cardinals started the scoring off right away in the 1st inning. Jacob Robinson was on the mound to start for the first time since starting in the '08 playoffs for the Rangers. He struck out Nick Walker to begin the game but gave up singles to Kyle Neal and Caleb Elkins to put two on for Jake Wilson who launched a three run homerun to center field to put the Cardinals up 3-0. The Cardinals added an unearned run in the second and another in what could have been a big 3rd inning if it weren’t for Benthal pouncing on an attempted squeeze bunt by Zach Hembree and making a quick tag on Elkins who was racing down the line on the play.

In the 4th, Kyle Slone hit a hard smash up the middle for his first career MVABL hit to start the inning. Matt Redman reached on an error and Jared Bradley singled to load the bases for Brad Clark who worked a one out walk to bring in a run. Robinson grounded out to drive in a second run to make it 5-3 before a fly out ended the threat. The Redlegs inched closer in the 5th when Justin McCurdy led off with a laser beam over the center fielder’s head for a double. Running for McCurdy, Matt Mattice showed some heads up base running by moving up to third on a difficult foul pop up to the first baseman. This put him in position to score on the next at bat when John Long put the ball in play and reached on an error to make it 5-4.

Kevin Campbell relieved Robinson in the bottom of the 5th getting two quick ground outs before giving up a single to Walker. Benthal then provided the final spark the Redlegs needed when he gunned down the Cardinals leadoff batter trying to swipe second to end the frame. The Redlegs responded by batting around and plating 7 runs in the 6th and never looked back. Bradley and Clark singled to start the frame before Robinson doubled to right center to drive them both in. McCurdy, Long, and Benthal added RBI singles along with a pass ball and an error that allowed two more runs to score.

Hembree smacked a two out two run homerun over the left field wall in the 6th but the Redlegs got those back plus one in the 7th taking advantage of some wildness from Cardinals pitching. Campbell slammed the door in the bottom of the 7th to pick up his first career MVABL win.

Offensive Highlights: Jacob Robinson 3-4, 2B, SB, BB, 3RBI, 2R; Justin McCurdy 2-4, 2B, BB, RBI