Reyes and Cardinals topple Travs with 8-2 win

North Little Rock, AR - All-Star RHP Arturo Reyes dealt a career-high eight innings to help lead the Springfield Cardinals to the decisive 8-2 win against the Arkansas Travelers before 2,167 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Monday night.

Both Reyes (W, 6-5) and Arkansas RHP Chris Ellis (L, 4-1) tossed a scoreless opening inning, before the Cardinals (12-12, 42-52) dealt the first blow in the top of the second. With one away, 2B Bruce Caldwell worked a walk to spark the charge. A SS Matt Williams single and a RF David Washington walk then loaded the bases, before Ellis battled back with a pop out from LF Breyvic Valera for the second out. CF Charlie Tilson, though, tore a two-run single through the middle of the infield, plating both Caldwell and Williams for the 2-0 lead for Springfield.

The Travelers (12-12, 48-45) responded in part right away in the bottom of the second. 3B Brian Hernandez opened the inning with a single, before taking second base on a balk called against Reyes. After moving to third on a groundout, Hernandez came in the final ninety feet on an RBI base hit from RF Cal Towey, cutting the Travelers deficit to 2-1.

Reyes, however, kept the narrow lead intact with scoreless innings in the third and fourth, before the Cardinals stretched the lead in the fifth. With one down, DH Mike O'Neill reached base on a dropped third strike that bounced away from C Anthony Bemboom. One out later, O'Neill came flying home all the way from first base on an RBI double tattooed off the left field fence by 1B Jonathan Rodriguez, increasing the Cardinals lead back to two runs, 3-1.

Reyes continued to stifle the Travelers bats, keeping them at only the one run through his first seven innings.

The Cardinals then blew the game open with a five-run rally against LHP Scott Snodgress in the top of the eighth. A single from Rodriguez and walks from C Michael Ohlman and Caldwell loaded the bases with no outs. Williams then lined an RBI single to right field, his third hit of the night, bringing in Rodriguez and keeping the bases full for Washington. Washington promptly unloaded the bases with a three-run triple scorched to left-center field, stretching the lead to 7-1. Valera wasted no time in bringing home Washington, skying an RBI sacrifice fly to right field for the 8-1 Springfield advantage.

With Reyes back on the mound for the bottom of the eighth, the Travelers got one of the runs back. 2B Sherman Johnson led off with a double, before moving to third on a groundout. An RBI sacrifice fly from LF Blake Gailen brought in Johnson, but Reyes then quickly retired the final out to close his career-high eighth inning with the Cardinals ahead, 8-2.

Reyes finished with five strikeouts, while allowing just the two runs on six hits in his excellent outing. RHP Ronnie Shaban picked up right where Reyes had left off, tossing a scoreless bottom of the ninth to close the Cardinals 8-2 win.

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

Matt Carpenter, Matt Adams and Kolten Wong Fan Vote Mini Bobbleheads highlight series from July 23 - 26

The Cardinals continue the four-game road trip in Arkansas on Tuesday at 7:10pm. 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.

Springfield returns home for a four-game homestand from Thursday, July 23 - Sunday, July 26. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:

-Thursday, July 23 - Great Southern Bank 2010 Fan Vote Mini Bobblehead Giveaway 6 of 10 featuring Matt Carpenter (2,500) and Klement's "Buck a Brat" Night. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, July 24 - AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Christmas in July. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, July 25 - American National 2011 Fan Vote Mini Bobblehead Giveaway 7 of 10 featuring Matt Adams (2,500) and AT&T Dreams Come True Night. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, July 26 - Cline Dental 2012 Fan Vote Mini Bobblehead Giveaway 8 of 10 featuring Kolten Wong (2,500), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday, Kids Run the Bases and Specialty Jersey Auction to benefit Newborns in Need. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

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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