RoughRiders edge Cardinals for 2-1 win in series finale

Frisco, TX - The Frisco RoughRiders claimed the rubber match of the series with a narrow 2-1 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 6,005 fans at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Thursday night.

The RoughRiders (19-28) struck first with an early run in the bottom of the second against RHP Arturo Reyes (L, 1-2). With one away, 2B Drew Robinson swung himself to second base with a double to right field. Robinson then raced home on an RBI single by 1B Preston Beck, lifting Frisco in front, 1-0.

The Cardinals (15-32) wasted no time tying it up, evening the score with a run in the top of the third against RHP Jose Leclerc (W, 2-1). 2B Breyvic Valera sparked the offense with a slicing double inside the left field line, his third double of the series. He moved to third base on a single from C Alberto Rosario, before charging home on an RBI single to left field from CF Charlie Tilson, squaring the score at 1-1.

The RoughRiders, though, tilted the lead back in their favor in the bottom of the third. LF Nick Williams led off the inning with a triple off the center field wall, setting the table for C Jorge Alfaro. Reyes jammed Alfaro with a fastball, but Alfaro muscled it into shallow right field for the RBI single to make it 2-1.

Reyes got right back on track after the third, blanking Frisco throughout the remainder of his six-inning start. He finished with three strikeouts in the quality start and limited his opponent to two earned runs or fewer for the fifth straight time to start his Double-A career.

Springfield LHP Iden Nazario picked up right where Reyes left off, providing two scoreless relief innings to keep the Cardinals within one run.

However, Frisco also received a stifling pitching performance from Leclerc, who allowed just the one run in his six innings. RHP Josh McElwee dealt a scoreless seventh, followed by two outs in the eighth from LHP Will Lamb. RHP David Martinez (S, 2) tossed the final 1.1 innings without allowing the Cardinals to tie it, and Frisco hung on for the 2-1 win.

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

1985 NL Championship Rings, Green Caps, Kids TV Shows Fireworks and more highlight homestand from June 2 - 7

The Cardinals continue the six-game road trip in Midland on Friday at 7pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

The Cardinals return home for a six-game homestand from Tuesday, June 2 - Sunday, June 7. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:

-Tuesday, June 2 - Six Flags St. Louis Free Kids Admission Pass Giveaway (2,000 kids, 48" and under) and Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Wednesday, June 3 - Wednesday Night Baseball vs. Frisco RoughRiders. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Thursday, June 4 - St. Louis Cardinals 1985 National League Championship Replica Ring Giveaway (2,500), Klement's "Buck a Brat" $1 Bratwurst Night and Missouri Lottery Baseball Bingo. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, June 5 - AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks Show featuring Music from Kids TV Shows. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, June 6 - Specialty Hawaiian Jersey Auction to benefit the Humane Society. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, June 7 - Central Bank of the Ozarks Green Cap Giveaway (2,500), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. First Pitch is 2:10pm, gates open at 1:10pm.

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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