Cards Squeeze Past Nats, 4-3
After a two hour and 37 minute rain delay, the teams finally got back on the field and the game was scoreless for the first two and a half innings. In the bottom of the 3rd, Matt Adams reached on an error with two outs allowing Alex Castellanos to come to the plate and he made John Lamb and the Natural pay by lacing a two-run homer to right field to give Springfield a 2-0 lead.
Cardinals' starter Nick Additon picked up right where he left off from his last start in Tulsa where he went eight innings allowing just a run on four hits with eight strikeouts. Wednesday, he retired the first 18 batters he faced without allowing a base runner. In the 7th, Derrick Robinson singled up the middle to break up Additon's perfect game bid. Christian Colon would follow with a single and both runners moved up 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt. With only one out, Additon struck out Jamie Romak and got Salvador Perez to fly out to shallow right to keep the Cardinals in front.
The Naturals would finally get on the scoreboard in the 8th with two outs on a solo homer by Mario Lisson, his 5th of the season, to cut the Cardinals lead in half, 2-1.
Additon would start the 9th, but issued a lead off walk to Derrick Robinson and Jose Rada was called in from the bullpen. After two pop outs, Rada fell behind Jamie Romak 2-1 and tried to sneak a fastball by the cleanup hitter. Romak didn't miss it, lining a game-tying two-run homer to right to even the score 3-3.
In the bottom of the 9th, Niko Vasquez led off with a bloop double down the left field line and Tyler Henley would come in to pinch run. With one out and Henley still at second, reliever Blake Johnson threw a wild pitch advancing the runner to the 3rd with only one out. Jose Garcia was then walked intentionally before Nick Derba came to the plate. With an 0-1 count, Henley broke for home and Derba laid down a squeeze bunt to walk-off with a 4-3 win for Springfield.
Springfield will conclude their four-game series Thursday night against the Naturals at 7:07pm at Hammons Field. The Cardinals will send right hander Derek Hooker to the mound against lefty Will Smith of NW Arkansas in the series finale.
Thursday, as always, will be Johnsonville's "Buck a Brat" Night featuring $1 Johnsonville Bratwurst and Krispy Kreme will be giving away 2,500 coupons good for a dozen doughnuts! Game time is scheduled for 7:07pm and tickets are available by visiting the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at springfieldcardinals.com or by calling (417) 863-2143.
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