Travs hang on for 4-3 win in series finale

North Little Rock, AR - The Springfield Cardinals raced back into the game with three runs in the top of the eighth, but the Arkansas Travelers hung on for the 4-3 win in the series finale at Dickey-Stephens Park on Sunday afternoon. The Texas League All-Star Break begins on Monday with the All-Star Game to be played on Tuesday in Arkansas.

The Travelers (3-3, 37-39) cracked the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning against RHP Kurt Heyer (L, 3-4). Back-to-back singles from 3B Kaleb Cowart and RF Drew Heid opened the frame, before C Anderson De La Rosa knocked a three-run home run off the left field foul pole for the 3-0 advantage.

After the long-ball, Heyer dug in and pitched very well, retiring 10 in a row to close his five-inning outing and keep it just a three-run game.

Arkansas, though, stretched the advantage in the bottom of the sixth against RHP Ronnie Shaban. DH Mike Bianucci started the stanza with a double to center field. After moving to third on a groundout, Bianucci motored home on a wild pitch to make it 4-0.

Meanwhile, RHP Drew Rucinski (W, 6-4) continued his stellar outing, ending up with seven scoreless frames against the Cardinals (3-3, 37-39). He finished with five strikeouts and only one walk, keeping the Cards lineup in check before giving way to RHP Kevin Johnson in the eighth.

Facing Johnson to start the eighth, the Cardinals came racing back into the ballgame. 2B Luis Mateo led off with a double, before moving to third on a single from 3B Matt Williams. After a pop out, Mateo raced home on a wild pitch from Johnson that also moved Williams to second base. C Travis Tartamella then ripped an RBI single to right, bringing in Williams from second. LHP Carmine Giardina took over on the mound and retired LF Mike O'Neill, but SS Aledmys Diaz struck with a booming, two-out RBI double to left-center, bringing in Tartamella to bring the Cards within one run of tying it, 4-3.

RHP Chris Thomas took over for the bottom of the eighth and kept the Cardinals within one, dealing a 1-2-3 inning in his second outing with Springfield.

The Cardinals then started the top of the ninth inning against RHP Cam Bedrosian (S, 8) by getting the game-tying run on base with a 1B Jonathan Rodriguez walk. However, Bedrosian, who just returned from the Los Angeles Angels, responded by inducing a double play, before dealing a strikeout to wrap up the ninth and close the 4-3 win for Arkansas.

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

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The brand-new Promo Seats Package includes one Diamond Box Ticket for a game featuring a Promotional Item and guarantees that you receive one of that night's Promotional Items, plus a portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative to provide tickets for area youth and non-profit organizations.

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Cards kick off a six-game homestand on Wednesday, June 25

Springfield returns home for a six-game homestand from Wednesday, June 25 - Monday, June 30. The homestand will feature -

-St. Louis Cardinals 1964 World Championship Replica Ring Giveaway (2,500) and $1 bratwursts on Thursday, June 26 at 7:10pm.

-AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Music from the Jacksons on Friday, June 27 at 7:10pm.

-CoxHealth Fireworks at the Field Celebration on Saturday, June 28 at 5:10pm.

-Cline Dental Joe Kelly "Standoff" Champion Bobblehead Giveaway (2,500), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases on Sunday, June 29 at 6:10pm.

-AM Pyrotechnics Bonus Fireworks featuring Fan's Vote Music and a Specialty Cap Auction to benefit Horses of Hope on Monday, June 30 at 7:10pm.

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