Seven Run 4th Too Much for Cards
A tight turn around for both clubs as they played a 13 inning, 7-6 thriller that ended at 11:30pm the night before, the Cardinals had righty Michael Blazek on the mound against Major League Rehabber Felipe Paulino.
The Cardinals jumped out in front for the fourth time in five games as they plated a first inning run. Greg Garcia drew a one out walk and scored on an RBI double by Jake Shaffer to grab a quick 1-0 lead.
The advantage did not last long however as Michael Blazek hit Paulo Orlando with a pitch and Wil Myers and Johnny Whittleman collected back to back RBI double to give NW Arkansas a 2-1 lead.
Springfield would regain the lead in the 3rd as Jose Garcia singled and crossed the plate on a two-run homer by Oscar Taveras to take a 3-2 lead.
The game stayed 3-2 until the bottom of the 4th when the Naturals scored seven runs on an RBI double by Ryan Jenkins, a two-run single by Rey Navarro and two-run homer from Wil Myers and Yem Prades to snag a 9-3 lead. Michael Blazek would leave the game after the 4th allowing nine runs on eight hits with four walks and five strikeouts.
Trailing by six, the Cardinals inched closer in the top of the 6th as Kyle Conley blasted his first home run of the season to make it 9-4.
Justin Wright came in out of the Springfield bullpen and tossed a scoreless 5ht inning before allowing a solo homer to Johnny Whittleman to take regain a six run cushion for the Naturals, 10-4.
In the 7th, the Cardinals added another run to their tally thanks to an RBI single by Jake Shaffer, his second of the game, to get within five again, 10-5.
Springfield added yet another run in the 8th on Kyle Conley's second homer of the game. They would put runners at second and third with two outs, but Oscar Taveras struck out to end the threat with the Cardinals trailing 10-6.
However, that's as close as Springfield would get as the Naturals took game three of the series 10-6 extending the Cardinals losing skid to a season high five games.
The Redbirds will conclude their four-game series tomorrow night at NW Arkansas at 7:00pm. Springfield will sent lefty Tyler Lyons to the mound against Justin Marks of the Naturals.
The Cardinals will return home for an eight-game homestand Tuesday, May 1st against the NW Arkansas Naturals. Every Tuesday is a Great Southern Bank Dollar Dog Day featuring $1 hot dogs all game long. It's also Drury University's Red Cardinals T-Shirt Giveaway for 2,500 fans. Tickets are available by visiting the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at springfieldcardinals.com or by calling (417) 863-2143.
Escape to Cardinals Baseball!