Following three innings in a row with a runner in scoring position and not scoring, the Hooks finally got to Cardinals' starter Richard Castillo in the fourth.

The first two runners reached base on a hit-by-pitch and a single. Austin Wates drove in the first run on an RBI single, and advanced to second base on an error by Oscar Taveras. Directly after, Castillo threw a wild pitch that allowed another run to score. The third and final run of the inning came across the plate on a sacrifice fly by Andy Simunic.

Castillo (7-5) only lasted four innings on 95 pitches. The righty gave up three runs on seven hits. His command faltered as he allowed five walks and one hit batsman. Surprisingly, only the hit batsman scored.

Once Castillo departed, the newest Cardinal pitcher Michael Wacha made his Double-A debut. The St. Louis Cardinals selected Wacha as the 19th pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. He did not disappoint.

Wacha kept the Hooks scoreless through all three innings he pitched. He even struck out six consecutive Corpus Christi batters.

Springfield scored their first and only run of the ballgame on a sacrifice fly to center field by Oscar Taveras in the sixth inning. This scored Jermaine Curtis.

Two innings earlier, the Cardinals had a great offensive chance. However, Hooks left fielder Austin Wates threw out Jamie Romak at home after attempting to score from second base on a single by Adam Melker.

Corpus Christi's starter Paul Clemens (2-2) kept the Cardinals' offense off-balance through seven strong innings. He battled through tough innings, and only allowed one unearned run. At one point, Clemens retired ten consecutive Springfield batters.

The Hooks added four insurance runs in the eighth and ninth inning. This included an RBI single in the eighth, and a three-run home run by Jacob Goebbert off Keith Butler in the ninth.

Springfield will conclude their three-game series with the Corpus Christi Hooks tomorrow night at 7:08pm. The Cardinals will have Kevin Siegrist on the mound against Asher Wojciechowski of the Hooks. 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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