NW Arkansas wasted no time getting to Cardinals starter Richard Castillo as the Naturals plated eight first inning runs, all with two outs, highlighted by a two run single by Paulo Orlando, a three-run homer by Mario Lisson, and a two-run double by Christian Colon.

The Naturals added single runs in the 3rd and 4th innings to knock Castillo from the game allowing a season high 10 runs, eight earned, on 11 hits. Kevin Thomas inherited two runners in the 4th and did not surrender a run.

Thomas pitched two scoreless before surrendering two in the 6th on an RBI triple by Carlo Testa and an RBI groundout from Mario Lisson to swell the Naturals lead to 12-0.

Springfield didn't get their first hit until the 5th when Adam Melker singled to center field. The Cardinals got their first runs in the 8th was Kolten Wong produced an RBI double and Jermaine Curtis singled to make the score 12-2. In the 9th, Audry Perez launched a two-run homer, his 4th, to bring it to the finally tally of 12-4.

Springfield will continue their four game series with NW Arkansas Sunday night at 6:00pm. The Cardinals will have Carlos Martinez on the mound against Mike Montgomery of the Naturals.

The Cardinals will return home August 3rd to play a four-game series with the Tulsa Drillers. Every Friday is a Firework Friday night thanks to AM Pyrotechnics! 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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