Early Cardinal Blasts Doom Travs

Springfield, MO-The Springfield Cardinals out homered the Arkansas Travelers three to one and took the opening game of a three game series, 5-2 on Friday night. Cardinals starter Angel Rondon kept the Travs at bay most of the game, limiting them to just four hits over seven innings as he picked up the win. Arkansas starter Justus Sheffield went six innings in a losing effort striking out six but was charged with all five runs.
Moments That Mattered
* Springfield hit a homer in each of the first three innings. The opening blast was a two-run shot to left-center by Johan Mieses in the first inning.
* Jarred Kelenic hit his first homer with Arkansas, a two-run shot in the sixth. It was a line drive to right-center and was his 18^th homerun of the season overall.
Notable Travs Performances
* RF Jarred Kelenic: 1-3, BB, run, HR, 2 RBI
* RHP Sam Delaplane: 2 IP, 4 K
News and Notes
* The loss is the Travs third in a row, matching their longest losing skid of the season. It is just the third time they have lost three straight.
* Sheffield had given up just one homer in his first 11 starts with Arkansas prior to the three surrendered in this game.
Up Next
Game two of the series is Saturday night with right-hander Ljay Newsome (3-2, 1.63) getting the start against righty Johan Oviedo (6-6, 5.34). First pitch is at 6:10 and the game will be broadcast on the Sports Animal 920, the First Pitch App, TuneIn radio and milb.tv.