Springfield Completes Series Sweep

SPRINGFIELD, MO-The Cardinals wrapped up their three game sweep of the RoughRiders, defeating Frisco 8-3 Sunday night at Hammons Field. In a game that was much closer than the score, the RoughRiders trailed by only a run going into the bottom of the eighth, but the Cards were able to put the game away thanks to a four run inning. It was only the second time Frisco had been swept all season.

The Cardinals jump-started their offense in the second inning, posting three runs against 'Riders starter Neil Ramirez (1-1). Following a lead-off walk by Jamie Romak, Chris Swauger tripled on the sixth pitch of his at-bat to make it 1-0 Cardinals. Jose Garcia drove his fellow infielder home two batters later, and moved to third when the ball snuck under the glove of centerfielder Leury Garcia. A wild pitch by Ramirez made it 3-0.

Frisco tied the game in the fourth thanks to a pair of longballs from Jurickson Profar and Chris McGuiness. Profar's came in the top of the third, and brought home Jared Prince, while McGuiness drilled a solo shot off Trevor Rosenthal (7-6) one inning later. For McGuiness, it was his eighth deep fly since June 10.

Chris Swauger broke the tie in the home half of the frame with a monster home run to right. That ended the scoring until the bottom of the eighth inning. Facing Richard Bleier, Kolten Wong and Greg Garcia added singles off the 'Riders lefthander, before Oscar Taveras cleared the bases with his second three-run homer in as many days. Xavier Scruggs added an RBI single, while Deryk Hooker shutout the visitors in the ninth.

Springfield starter Trevor Rosenthal earned his seventh win of the season, tossing six innings of three run baseball, scattering four hits (two were home runs), and recording a season-high eight strikeouts. Neil Ramirez suffered the loss for Frisco. He allowed four runs (three earned) over five innings of work, walked two, and also tied a season high with eight punch outs.

Frisco will head to North Little Rock to begin a three game series with Arkansas on Monday night. Jake Brigham (3-4, 4.40) gets the start for the RoughRiders, he will be opposed by the Travelers AJ Schugel (3-7, 3.07) First pitch is slated for 7:10, and can be heard on KKGM 1630 AM or on ridersbaseball.com. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:30.

The RoughRiders return home on July 5 when the Springfield Cardinals visit Dr Pepper Ballpark. To purchase tickets, fans can visit the box office, or buy online at ridersbaseball.com.