SPRINGDALE, AR- The Springfield Cardinals used a four-run sixth inning to defeat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 4-2 on Friday night at Arvest Ballpark.

The Cardinals (58-45) had six consecutive runners reach base and tallied four runs in the top of the sixth inning. Jermaine Curtis came through with an RBI single, and the Naturals walked in the next three runs, making it a 4-0 game.

Noel Arguelles (2-11) worked five innings for the Naturals (44-60) allowing seven hits and four runs. His counter part Scott McGregor (4-1) went six and two-thirds shutout innings allowing just three hits.

Brendan Lafferty turned in a quality relief outing for the Naturals. The left-hander threw three innings allowing just one hit and striking out four. Nick Rogers followed with a scoreless inning of his own, and kept the deficit at 4-0.

The Naturals offense finally got on the board in the bottom of the ninth inning. Christian Colon got things going with a single, and Kevin Kouzmanoff, and Carlo Testa both walked to load the bases with two outs. Rey Navarro got the home team on the board with an RBI single. Mario Lisson worked a bases loaded walk to force in Kouzmanoff and cut the lead to 4-2. The Cardinals closer Keith Butler then struck out a pinch-hitter Paulo Orlando for the final out of the game. The save was number 21 of the season.

The Naturals continue their four-game series with the Springfield Cardinals on Saturday night at 7:05 PM. The Naturals will send right-hander Michael Mariot (3-3, 3.49) and right-hander Richard Castillo (5-3, 3.42). The game can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.