Cards Take Series Behind Meisner

The Flying Chanclas de San Antonio dropped its series finale with Springfield 4-3 Thursday night in front of 6,013 at Wolff Stadium.
For the third time in the three-game set, the Cardinals plated a first inning run. John Nogowski would give Springfield a 1-0 lead with a single to right center off Chris Paddack.
The early deficit did not faze Paddack, who did not allow a run over the next four frames. In his five innings of work, the top prospect limited the Cards to just four hits and did not issue a free pass, while punching out four.
After going hitless through three against righty Casey Meisner, San Antonio would get going in the fourth. Hudson Potts, who arrived earlier in the day from High-A Lake Elsinore, started the rally by working a one-out walk. Potts would quickly flash his speed by stealing second. Two batters later, Webster Rivas tied the game at one when he singled home Potts.
In the bottom of the fifth, Paddack helped his own cause when he followed a Matthew Batten double with a single to right center that gave the Chanclas a 2-1 lead.
Unfortunately, for Paddack, Springfield took advantage of his exit in the sixth, retaking the lead for good on newcomer Elliot Ashbeck (0-1) with run-scoring hits from Johan Mieses and Chris Chinea.
Blake Drake pushed the lead to 4-2 in the seventh against reliever Miguel Diaz with a single that scored Jose Martinez.
The insurance run proved critical as the Chanclas would mount a major threat in the ninth against Seth Elledge. Austin Allen and Michael Gettys began the inning with singles and would both move into scoring position with Taylor Kohlwey's sac bunt. Batten loaded the bases for the Chanclas when he worked a walk in a gritty at-bat. An Elledge wild pitch would score Allen and trim the San Antonio deficit to just one. However, it's as close as the Chanclas would get as Elledge (2^nd save) settled down to strike out both pinch-hitter Nick Schulz and Buddy Reed to end the game.
Meisner (1-1) earned the win after a superb effort. In seven-plus innings of work, Meisner allowed just two runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out six. The hurler even chipped in two hits of his own as pitchers combined for four in the contest.
San Antonio (23-23, 65-51) continues its homestand Friday with the first of three against Tulsa (26-20, 60-56). Michel Baez will get the ball for the Missions in his Double-A debut. Baez was 4-7 with a 2.91 ERA in 17 starts for Lake Elsinore. The Drillers will counter with fellow righty Mitchell White (3-5, 5.19). The first 2,000 fans to enter The Wolff Friday will receive a FREE Trea Turner SA Missions Blue Alternate Jersey courtesy of McCombs Ford West.