Cards comeback runs out of time, Travs claim 8-5 win

Springfield, MO - The Springfield Cardinals plated three runs in the final three innings, but the Arkansas Travelers hung on for the 8-5 win before 6,658 fans at Hammons Field on Saturday evening.

The Cardinals (17-25, 51-61) opened an early lead in the bottom of the first inning against LHP Buddy Boshers (W, 1-3). With one down, 2B Breyvic Valera singled himself to first base, before quickly taking second on a wild pitch. One out later, All-Star C Cody Stanley ripped an RBI single to left-center for his 32nd RBI of the year and the 1-0 advantage for Springfield.

The Travelers (24-18, 58-54) had a quick answer, plating four runs in the top of the second inning against All-Star LHP Kyle Hald (L, 8-4). CF Matt Long started the stanza with a single, quickly then stealing his way to second base. After a walk from C Jett Bandy, Long took third on a fly out to left field from 1B Michael Snyder. With runners at the corners, RF Drew Heid brought in Long from third base on an RBI fielder's choice. Heid then raced to third on a double by SS Eric Stamets, before both runners came in on a two-run double by LF Maikol Gonzalez. 2B Alex Yarbrough capped the rally with an RBI base hit to left, plating Gonzalez to make it a 4-1 Travs advantage.

Springfield started chipping the deficit down in the bottom of the third. Valera again got himself on to start the rally, this time with a one-out walk. While 1B Jonathan Rodriguez worked a walk, Boshers uncorked a pair of wild pitches that moved Valera around to third base. After Rodriguez wrapped up the walk to put runners at the corners, Stanley collected his second RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing in Valera once again to cut it down to a 4-2 deficit.

Arkansas, though, stretched the lead back out in the top of the fifth. Hald started the inning with a pop out, but 3B Brian Hernandez and DH Mike Bianucci knocked consecutive singles to put two men on. CF Matt Long then drove a three-run home run to right field, increasing the advantage to 7-2.

With RHP Chris Thomas taking over on the mound to start the top of the sixth, the Travelers stayed on the attack. They loaded the bases with no outs on an error, a single and a walk, setting the table for Yarbrough. Yarbrough bounced a grounder to second, but Valera fielded the ball and got the runner at the plate. However, Hernandez cashed in on the scoring opportunity with an RBI sacrifice fly to left field, bringing in the frame's lone run for the 8-2 lead.

Springfield started down the comeback trail again against LHP Carmine Giardina in the bottom of the seventh inning. LF Mike O'Neill worked a walk to get the inning started, motoring to second base on a single from SS Matt Williams one out later. After a strikeout dealt by Giardina, Valera crushed a two-out, two-run double to left-center field, bringing in both O'Neill and Williams to bring the Cards within four runs, 8-4.

Down to their final three outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Cardinals refused to go down without a fight against RHP Michael Brady. O'Neill again served as the catalyst, ripping a single through the right side of the infield to start the inning. After O'Neill moved to second on a wild pitch, RF Rafael Ortega launched a deep fly ball to left-center field. LF Maikol Gonzalez dropped the catch on Ortega's fly ball, enabling O'Neill to fly around from second base and score, making it just a three-run game. Brady, though, navigated through the rest of the inning unscathed and the Travelers hung on for the 8-5 win.

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

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Michael Wacha Bobbleheads wrap up the homestand on Sunday

The Cards and Travs wrap up the set on Sunday, August 3 with the Maria's Mexican Restaurant Michael Wacha Bobblehead Giveaway for 2,500 fans, Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

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