RoughRiders clip Cardinals, 5-4

Springfield, MO - The Frisco RoughRiders got by the Springfield Cardinals in the series finale, 5-4, before 4,989 fans at Hammons Field on Friday night.

The RoughRiders (26-21) jumped in front right away with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning against RHP Seth Blair (L, 2-4). With one on and one down, C Brett Nicholas started the scoring with an RBI double. One out later, RF Chih-Hsien Chiang brought home Nicholas with an RBI single for the 2-0 lead.

Frisco added a third run on a fielder's choice in the top of the second. With CF Ryan Strausborger at third and one down, SS Hanser Alberto hit a sharp grounder to 3B Ruben Gotay. Gotay fired the ball home, but Strausborger managed to slide under the tag at the plate, stretching the lead to 3-0.

The Cardinals (24-21), though, came racing back in the bottom of the second inning against RHP Tyler Tufts. RF Chris Swauger started the stanza with a double, before cruising home on an RBI double by 1B Xavier Scruggs. After Scruggs moved to third on a ground out, 2B Starlin Rodriguez brought him in with an RBI single to make it just a 3-2 deficit.

An RBI base hit by Chiang in the top of the third advanced the Frisco lead to two runs, but the Cardinals again responded in the bottom of the third. On the frame's first pitch, SS Jake Lemmerman shot a towering solo home run over the left field wall, bringing the Cards back within one run, 4-3.

Both sides then traded solo home runs in their halves of the fourth inning. Alberto drove a solo homer for Frisco in the top half of the frame, but Rodriguez answered in the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot of his own against RHP Phil Klein (W, 1-0), keeping the Cards close at 5-4.

The bullpens took over the game, both providing scoreless relief from the fifth inning on. RHP Ramon Delgado, RHP Deryk Hooker and RHP Keith Butler kept the Cardinals close, but Frisco countered with Klein, LHP Jimmy Reyes and RHP Ben Rowen (S, 3) to pace the RoughRiders to the 5-4 win.

Click here for the complete box score from Friday's game.

The Cardinals kick off the three-game series with the Midland RockHounds on Saturday at 6:09pm with the Yadier Molina Gold and Platinum Glove Award Giveaway for 2,500 fans! Gates open at 5:09pm.

The series continues on Sunday with a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday, featuring a free ice cream party for kids before the game. All kids can then run the bases just like the Cardinals after the game. First Pitch is 6:09pm, gates open at 5:09pm.

The homestand wraps up with a Memorial Day Matinee Game this Monday at 12:09pm. Spend your holiday weekend at the ballpark and let us handle cooking the hot dogs! Gates open at 11:09am on Monday.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Cake Pop Company Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.

Click here for the Cardinals full 2013 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

Escape to Cardinals Baseball!