Cardinals win final series in San Antonio with 4-3 victory

San Antonio, TX - Playing their last-ever game in San Antonio, the Springfield Cardinals topped the Missions, 4-3, before 6,013 fans at Wolff Stadium on Thursday night. The Cardinals won two of three games at the Wolff, winning nine of their last 10 series in San Antonio dating back to 2014. The Missions will move to Triple-A in the Pacific Coast League starting in 2019.

For the third straight game, the Cardinals (20-27, 53-64) struck first in the top of the first. Facing RHP Chris Paddack, RF Blake Drake singled himself on with one away, before moving to second on a wild pitch one out later. On the eighth pitch of his two-out at-bat, 1B John Nogowski won the battle with an RBI single to right-center, bringing home Drake and lifting Springfield ahead, 1-0.

Cardinals RHP Casey Meisner (W, 1-1) kept the narrow lead intact through his first 3.1 perfect frames, retiring his first 10 batters in a row. The Missions (23-23, 65-51), though, broke up the perfect game bid with a one-out walk from 3B Hudson Potts in the bottom of the fourth. He stole second and then raced home one out later on a two-out RBI single from C Webster Rivas, the Missions first hit of the night, tying it at 1-1.

San Antonio then seized the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Meisner recorded the first two outs in order, but SS Matthew Batten pulled a double off the left field wall to extend the inning. He then came home when Paddack collected an RBI single, his first-career hit and RBI, lifting the Missions ahead, 2-1.

After a diving catch by RF Blake Drake ended the bottom of the fifth with no further damage, the Cardinals swung right back in front in the top of the sixth against RHP Elliot Ashbeck (L, 0-1). With two down, Nogowski worked a walk and took second on a wild pitch. LF Johan Mieses then sent a booming RBI double to left-center field, scoring Nogowski to tie the game. C Chris Chinea came up next and brought in Mieses with an RBI single to left field, catapulting the Cards into the 3-2 lead.

Springfield then padded the lead in the top of the seventh with another two-out run. Facing RHP Miguel Diaz with two on and two away, Drake drove an RBI single to right-center field, bringing home SS Jose Martinez from third base to stretch the lead to 4-2.

Meisner kept the Cardinals ahead with a 1-2-3 seventh inning, including a pair of strikeouts, before starting the eighth. The Missions got their first two batters on with a bunt single and a walk to open the eighth, leading to RHP Seth Elledge (S, 2) taking over on the mound. Elledge ushered the Cardinals out of the eighth unscathed with a double play turned by Nogowski and a groundout to third, keeping it 4-2.

Elledge came back out for the ninth inning, which began with consecutive infield singles from 1B Austin Allen and RF Michael Gettys. Both runners advanced to second and third on a sacrifice bunt, before Batten worked a walk to load the bases with one away. A wild pitch brought home Allen and put runners at second and third, but then Elledge dug in with back-to-back strikeouts to leave the tying and winning runs at third and second, and close the 4-3 victory for the Cardinals.
Bob Gibson Career Highlights Bobbleheads, Snoopy Bobbleheads and more August 14 - 19
The Cardinals continue the trip in San Antonio on Friday at 7:05pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyotes Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

Springfield then returns home for a fun-filled homestand from Tuesday, August 14 - Sunday, August 19, featuring:

-Tuesday, August 14, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield School Supply Drive. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, August 15, 6:30pm - Purina Woof Wednesday with dogs welcome at the game. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Thursday, August 16, 7:10pm - Henry's Towing Baseball Card Set Giveaway (2,000) and Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, August 17, 7:10pm - Fans-On-Field Fireworks and Wedding Dance Party. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, August 18, 6:10pm - Maria's Mexican Restaurant Bob Gibson Career Highlights Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000) and Specialty Jersey Auction to benefit Springfield Sports Commission. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, August 19, 6:10pm - Peanuts & St. Louis Cardinals Snoopy Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.
Click here to order your tickets and view the full 2018 Promotional Schedule.