Frisco Beats Cards 11-7
Springfield sent Scott McGregor to the mound coming off his first win since 2010 (Tommy John Surgery) against former Missouri Tiger standout Nick Tepesch of Frisco.
The RoughRiders were first to get a run across and it only took them two batters in the bottom of the first inning. Engel Beltre led off with a single, stole second and scored on an RBI single by Jurickson Profar to grab a quick 1-0 lead.
Frisco added two more runs in the 2nd as Ryan Strausborger delivered an RBI double and Beltre was credited with an infield single that plated another run making it 3-0.
In the 4th, the 'Riders added three more to their tally against McGregor as Jared Hoying blasted a two-run homer to go up 5-0 and they'd add another run on a double-play ground out to lead 6-0. McGregor left the game after the 4th allowing six runs on nine hits.
Springfield finally got on the scoreboard in the 5th against Tepesch with two outs as Audry Perez singled and Adam Melker followed with a two-run homer, his 3rd of the year, to trail just 6-2.
In the 6th, the Cardinals knocked out Tepesch as Oscar Taveras started the inning with a double, Jamie Romak walked and Chris Swauger doubled into left center field two score two. With one out, Xavier Scruggs drove home a run with an RBI double to make it a 6-5 game.
Jorge Rondon did a great job out of the bullpen throwing two perfect innings to keep Springfield within striking distance.
With Deryk Hooker in the game for the 7th, the first two Frisco hitters were retired. Mike Olt then drew a four pitch walk before Chris McGuinness hit his 18th home run of the season, a two-run shot, to put the RoughRiders in front 8-5.
The Cardinals got back on the scoreboard in the 8th as reliever Carlos Pimentel threw a wild pitch scoring Jake Shaffer from third, who had doubled with one out, to bring Springfield within two, 8-6.
Frisco tacked on three more runs in the 8th against Eric Fornataro on an RBI double by Val Majewski and a two-run homer by Beltre, the first allowed by Fornataro this year, to put the game out of reach for Springfield 11-6.
Jamie Romak hit a solo homer in the 9th and the Cardinals had two on with two out, but could not get any closer than 11-7 in losing the series opener with Frisco.
Springfield will continue their three-game series in Frisco tomorrow night at 7:00pm. Kevin Siegrist will make his AA Debut for Springfield against Neil Ramirez of Frisco.
The Cardinals will return to Hammons Field Thursday, July 12th to take on the NW Arkansas Naturals. Springfield will be giving away 2,500 Red Cardinals Tumblers thanks to Trolley's and the Flying Tomato Restaurant. Also, every Thursday is "Buck a Brat" Night featuring $1 Johnsonville Bratwurst all night long! Great tickets are still available, so visit the Hammons Field Ticket Office, go online at springfieldcardinals.com or call (417) 863-2143.
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