SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Interstat) — Jesús Báez hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Springfield Cardinals past the Tulsa Drillers 9-7 on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Game 1 of a Texas League (AA) playoff series at Hammons Field. Cade McGee tied the game with a two-run homer in the eighth. Jack Gurevitch hit a three-run homer in the fourth for Springfield, while Mike Sirota and Charles Davalan each hit two-run homers for Tulsa. Randel Clemente earned the win with two innings of relief, allowing one hit and two earned runs while striking out six. Carson Hobbs took the loss. Báez went 3 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs. Payton Martin pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings for Tulsa, and Nolan Sparks threw two scoreless innings for Springfield. Tulsa had eight hits, Springfield nine. Attendance was 2,402, and the game took 2 hours, 38 minutes. Springfield leads the series 1-0. Tulsa is 87-51, Springfield 77-58.