Cards End Skid, Roll 9-0
Dickson (7-6) scattered eight hits, all singles, in dropping his ERA to 3.35, tenth in the league.
Freese put Springfield on the board with one of the longest home runs of the year, a two-run shot to left field, as the Cards took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning.
After a sac fly by Rapoport made it a 3-0 game in the second, Freese struck again, this time with a two-run double to give the Cards a 5-0 advantage over Arkansas starter Michael Anton (2-8).
Barrett Browning came on in relief in the third and gave up four more runs. With the bases loaded, Browning walked Antone DeJesus, forcing home Tyler Henley to make it 6-0. Rapoport followed with a bases-clearing double, giving the Redbirds a commanding 9-0 lead.
Dickson left after eight innings and 109 pitches, turning it over to left-hander Tyler Norrick, who worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning, preserving Springfield's fourth shutout this year.
The Cards will go with Ryan Kulik (4-7) on Thursday night in the rubber game of the three-game set. The Travs will counter with Tim Kiely (2-1), with first pitch scheduled at 7:10pm.
After the seven-game road trip finishes up, the Cards return to Hammons Field to open a seven-game home stand against Arkansas and Tulsa, beginning on Tuesday, August 4th. Don't miss out on Bruce Sutter Bobblehead Giveaway on Saturday, August 8th, thanks to Hardee's. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com.