Travelers get even with Saturday win against Cardinals

Springfield, MO - The Arkansas Travelers evened the series with a 5-1 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 5,311 fans at Hammons Field on Saturday evening. The two teams have alternated victories to start the four-game set.

The Cardinals (14-28) swung in front right out of the gates in the bottom of the first against RHP Kyle McGowin (W, 4-2). CF Charlie Tilson sparked the early offense with a double to deep left-center, opening the inning with a man in scoring position. 3B Alex Mejia followed suit with a sharp RBI double of his own, bringing in Tilson before an out was retired for the early 1-0 lead.

The Travelers (22-19), though, responded right away with a three-run rally in the top of the second inning against RHP Andrew Morales (L, 3-3). After 3B Brian Hernandez started the inning with a walk, 1B Wade Hinkle pulled a two-run homer to right field, lifting the Travs into the 2-1 lead. DH Anthony Bemboom followed the home run by reaching on an error, before taking second on a sacrifice bunt. Bemboom then came home from second base when an infield single was fired wide of first base from Mejia, stretching the Travelers advantage to 3-1.

Arkansas struck again in the top of the third inning. A single, a hit batter and a walk loaded the bases with no outs to set the table for the Travs. Morales came close to working out of the jam unscathed, inducing a pair of grounders that led to fielder's choices with no runs scoring. However, with two on and two down, Bemboom placed an RBI single to score RF Cal Towey from third base and make it 4-1.

Morales gave way to RHP Joey Donofrio to begin the top of the fourth inning. Donofrio struck out the side in the fourth, but the Travs added an insurance run in the top of the fifth. LF Drew Maggi started the inning with a single, before stealing second base. After a wild pitch moved him to third, Maggi scored two outs later on an RBI base hit from Hinkle for the 5-1 lead.

Donofrio rebounded with 1.2 scoreless innings after the fifth, finishing with only the one run allowed through 3.2 relief frames to keep the Cardinals within striking distance. RHP Kyle Barraclough retired all four batters he faced in order, before RHP Heath Wyatt dealt a scoreless top of the ninth to keep the deficit at only four runs.

Springfield picked the bats up for the bottom of the ninth and had one last rally. Facing RHP Trevor Gott, 1B David Washington led off with a line drive single to left field. One out later, Washington advanced to second on a base hit from RF Jeremy Hazelbaker to put two runners on. A fielder's choice from SS Aledmys Diaz retired Hazelbaker at second base and left runners at the corners with two away for C Michael Ohlman. Ohlman came through with an RBI single to center field, bringing in Washington and momentarily keeping the game alive. However, Gott won the battle against pinch-hitting 1B Jonathan Rodriguez with a game-ending strikeout to close the 5-2 win for Arkansas.

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

Michael Wacha Jersey T-Shirts, Free Hiland Dairy Ice Cream for Kids and Kids Run the Bases on Sunday

The Cardinals continue the eight-game homestand at Hammons Field on Sunday, May 24 at 6:10pm. Don't miss all of the upcoming fun, including:

-Sunday, May 24 - Price Cutter and Bar-S Foods Michael Wacha Jersey T-Shirt Giveaway (2,500), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

-Monday, May 25 - Pasta Express $1 Kids Orders of Toasted Ravioli. First Pitch is 12:10pm, gates open at 11:10am.

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

Click here to view the full 2015 Schedule.

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