Baker and the Cardinals blank the Travs, 3-0

North Little Rock, AR - RHP Corey Baker dealt 6.1 scoreless innings to lead the Springfield Cardinals to the 3-0 shutout win against the Arkansas Travelers before 8,478 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Saturday night.

Baker (W, 1-0) dominated the Travs (7-8) through his outing, striking out six while only allowing four hits and not issuing a single walk. It marks his second straight scoreless start, lowering his season ERA to an excellent 1.76.

While Baker was stifling the Travs bats, the Cardinals (8-7) got on the board in the top of the third against RHP Blayne Weller (L, 0-3). With CF Harrison Bader on at third, RF Collin Radack on at first and two down, a pitch to 1B Luke Voit skipped through the dirt. Radack took off for second on the wild pitch, drawing an errant throw from C Anthony Bemboom and allowing Bader to charge in from third for the 1-0 lead.

Springfield doubled the advantage in the top of the fifth. SS Alex Mejia started the stanza with his second single of the game, before Bader was hit by a pitch to put two men on. LF C.J. McElroy, Jr. laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing the runners to second and third. After a strikeout, Voit kept the inning alive with a two out walk to load the bases. LHP Edward Paredes took over on the mound to face 2B Bruce Caldwell, but Caldwell worked a four-pitch RBI walk to force in Mejia and make it 2-0.

The Cardinals added their final insurance run in the top of the eighth. With two down, C Carson Kelly extended the frame with a base hit. Mejia followed with a free pass, moving Kelly to second, before Bader ripped an RBI single to center field to score Kelly for the 3-0 lead.

After Baker's 6.1 innings, the Cardinals received scoreless relief from LHP Corey Littrell (1.0 inning), RHP Kurt Heyer (0.2 inning) and RHP Ronnie Shaban (1.0 inning). Shaban (S, 4) slammed the door with a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth, nailing down his team-leading fourth save and closing the 3-0 shutout win for Springfield.

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

Fleece Blanket Giveaway, Love Song Fireworks, $1 Dogs, $1 Brats and more April 25 - May 2

The Cardinals take on the Arkansas Travelers in Little Rock on Sunday at 2:10pm. 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 huge eight-game homestand from Monday, April 25 - Monday, May 2. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:

-Monday, April 25 - Pasta Express $1 Kids Orders of Toasted Ravioli. First Pitch is 6:30pm, gates open at 5:30pm.

-Tuesday, April 26 - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. First Pitch is 6:30pm, gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, April 27 - Day Baseball and KY3 Weather School Educational Day. First Pitch is 11:10am, gates open at 10:10am.

-Thursday, April 28 - Klement's "Buck a Brat" Night with $1 Klement's bratwursts. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, April 29 - AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Love Songs and a Specialty Jersey Auction to benefit Isabel's House. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, April 30 - Expedia Fleece Blanket Giveaway (2,000). First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, May 1 - Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday, Kids Run the Bases and the Cardinals Bat Auction to benefit Cherish Kids. First Pitch is 2:10pm, gates open at 1:10pm.

-Monday, May 2 - Missouri Department of Conservation Educational Day, Career in Sports Day and Pasta Express $1 Kids Orders of Toasted Ravioli. First Pitch is 11:10am, gates open at 10:10am.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking an Urban 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 2016 Promotional Schedule.

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