Dickinson helps push lead in West to two

Jeremy Brown's two-run homer highlighted a four-run third inning as Midland cruised past Springfield, 7-2, on Thursday at CitiBank Ballpark.

After Kevin Melillo hit a two-run double to snap a 1-1 tie, Brown blasted his 17th homer off starter Jordan Pals.

Steve Stanley and Mark Kiger each singled in a run as the RockHounds recorded their fourth win in five games.

Starter Drew Dickinson (6-8) registered the win after yielding a run on four hits, while fanning six and walking three over 6 2/3 frames.

An RBI single by Travis Hanson in the third and an RBI double by Aaron Herr in the eighth plated both of the Cardinals' runs.

Pals (5-11) surrendered six runs on 10 hits over four innings. He struck out two and walked five in the loss. -- Marissa Rega/MLB.com