Springfield, MO-Despite a late rally to force extra innings, the Arkansas Travelers fell to the Springfield Cardinals 4-3 in 12 innings on Saturday night. The loss was the ninth in the last 10 games for the Travs and dropped them to 0-5 in extra inning contests this year. The Travelers
Springfield, MO-Despite a late rally to force extra innings, the Arkansas Travelers fell to the Springfield Cardinals 4-3 in 12 innings on Saturday night. The loss was the ninth in the last 10 games for the Travs and dropped them to 0-5 in extra inning contests this year.
The Travelers trailed entering the eighth inning but tied the game on a solo homer from Chuck Taylor, his sixth of the year, with two out. Arkansas would then grab the lead in the ninth. Dario Pizzano opened the inning with a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and to third on a hit from Ryan Casteel. He would then score on the second wild pitch of the inning by Landon Beck. But the one run lead would not stand up for reliever Zac Curtis. Gabriel Lino opened the last of the ninth with a single and then pinch-runner Casey Turgeon stole second base. Finally, with two out, Magneuris Sierra doubled into left to tie it. Springfield would nearly win it in the ninth as Sierra tried to score from second on an infield hit but Joey Wong threw home and caught Sierra in a rundown for the final out.
In the extra frames, neither team garnered a runner in the 10th or 11th innings. In the 12th, the Travs put a pair aboard on walks to Nelson Ward and Ian Miller but were unable to score. Magneuris Sierra would then jumpstart the Cardinals in the bottom of the inning with a one out single. The speedy 21-year old would then steal second and score on Oscar Mercado's bouncing ball up the middle with two out.
Tyler Bray (3-0) was credited with the victory after recording the final out of the top of the 12th. Brett Ash (5-6) was saddled with the loss.
Arkansas tries to stave off a sweep and pick up a victory on Sunday in the series finale and final game before the All-Star Break. Right-hander Tyler Herb (5-4, 3.60) gets the ball for the Travs against righty Chris Ellis (0-2, 3.98) for the Cards. First pitch is set for 2:10. The game will be broadcast on the Sports Animal 920, the First Pitch App, TuneIn radio and milb.tv.
