Walters sharp for Springfield Cardinals
By Kary Booher
kbooher@news-leader.com
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Right-hander P.J. Walters retired 13 of the final 14 he faced in a five-inning effort, and outfielder Luke Gorsett hit a home run as the Springfield Cardinals tied the Binghamton Mets 4-4 today at the Tradition Field Sports Complex.
Walters, who won the Minor League Pitcher of the Year award in the St. Louis Cardinals system, is likely Springfield-bound when the Double-A team ends spring training on Wednesday.
He had to overcome two errors by the defense in the first inning and then settled in well. He allowed two runs, one earned, but ended the bottom of the first with a strikeout to start his charge through the rest of the game. He finished with six strikeouts and got a huge defensive play from center fielder Jon Jay.
Jay made a diving catch of a flyball near the warning track, drawing applause from the smattering of fans and even opposing players.
Gorsett, a seventh-round pick in 2006 out of the University of Nebraska, finished with two RBIs. Third baseman Allen Craig followed Justin Roberson's RBI single with one of his wown in the 10th inning.
The teams played 12 innings in order to get extra players from A-ball -- including 2007 first-rounder Pete Kozma -- some at-bats.
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