Springfield, MO - The Cardinals defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 5-1 for their fifth victory in a row in front of a sell-out crowd of 6,937 at Hammons Field.

Carlos Martinez (2-2) pitched sixth great innings allowing one run on two hits for the Cardinals. Since making his double-A debut on June 15, Martinez has allowed nine runs in 27 and a third innings, lowering his ERA to 2.30.

Naturals' starter Mike Montgomery (0-1) pitched well through five innings until the Cardinals scored three runs off him in the sixth. He finished with five earned runs on six hits in six innings. The start was Montgomery's first for Northwest Arkansas after recently being demoted from triple-A Omaha.

Oscar Taveras led the way offensively for Springfield by going three-for-three with a walk. He scored two of the five runs. Taveras boosted his Texas League leading batting average to .333.

Northwest Arkansas scored their only run of the ballgame on a solo home run by Carlo Testa in the top of the second inning.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Chris Swauger gave the Cardinals a one-run lead with a two-run homerun to left-center field.

Springfield added much needed insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. With runners on first and second, Jamie Romak drove in the Cardinals' third run of the ballgame with a double down the left-field line. Xavier Scruggs then hit a clutch two-run single on a full count and two outs, putting Springfield up 5-1.

Relievers Justin Wright and Jorge Rondon kept the Naturals scoreless, and secured the four-run lead in the last three innings for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals will conclude their series with NW Arkansas Naturals Sunday night at 6:08pm. Springfield will send Seth Maness to the mound against Yordano Ventura.

Sunday is the Jason Motte Garden Gnome giveaway thanks to Cline Dental for 2,500 fans. It's also a Hiland Dairy ice cream Sunday where all kids will receive an ice cream treat before that game on the Prime Patio and kids can run the bases after the game. 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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