Cardinals battle back for 6-3 win before 6,775 fans

Springfield, MO - The 1st-Half North Division Champion Springfield Cardinals rallied with five runs in the bottom of the seventh, racing in front for the eventual 6-3 win against the Midland RockHounds before the sell-out crowd of 6,775 fans at Hammons Field on Sunday evening.

After Cardinals RHP Daniel Poncedeleon and RockHounds LHP Brandon Mann alternated a pair of scoreless innings to start, Midland (34-16, 67-53) broke through in the top of the third. With one down, a SS Franklin Barreto single and a C Andy Paz walk put two runners on. A wild pitch advanced both runners ninety feet, before both then came home on a two-run single by RF Tyler Marincov. Marincov moved to third on a wild pitch, before Poncedeleon battled back with a strikeout. However, 1B Viosergy Rosa sliced a two-out RBI single through the middle, plating Marincov to make it 3-0.

Mann continued to cruise with scoreless work in the third and fourth, before the Cardinals (24-25, 65-54) powered their way onto the board in the fifth. Leading off the inning, 1B Luke Voit clobbered a solo home run to left field, his 18th long-ball and 63rd RBI of the year, swinging Springfield within two runs, 3-1.

Poncedeleon followed with a 1-2-3 top of the sixth inning, wrapping up his outing with 10 straight outs. He finished with just the three runs on four hits while striking out seven through his six innings of work.

RHP Ronnie Shaban (W, 7-3) picked up right where Poncedeleon left off with a perfect top of the seventh, before the Cardinals edged closer in the bottom of the inning. Leading off the seventh against Mann, 3B Paul DeJong drilled his 20th home run of the year, a solo shot to right field to chip the Cardinals deficit to just one run, 3-2. 1B Jonathan Rodriguez followed the blast with a sharp single to left field, chasing Mann from the mound. With RHP Lou Trivino (L, 1-1) taking over, Voit ripped a single to left field, putting two on with no outs. C Luis Cruz advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt, before RF Blake Drake was intentionally walked to load the bases. With three on and one down, 2B Allen Staton laced a two-run single to right-center field, scoring Rodriguez and Voit to propel the Cardinals into the 4-3 lead. With runners at second and third after the throw home, LF Jhohan Acevedo chopped an RBI fielder's choice that scored Drake and led to a throwing error on SS Franklin Barreto, bringing in Staton as well for the 6-3 advantage.

Shaban started the eighth and retired two while working around a pair of singles, giving way to LHP Chandler Hawkins with two on and two down. Hawkins lost 1B Viosergy Rosa to a walk, loading the bases with two outs for 3B Yairo Munoz. RHP Josh Lucas (S, 14) took over and struck out Munoz, getting the Cards out of the bases loaded jam unscathed.

Lucas then slammed the door with a 1-2-3 final frame, closing the 6-3 comeback win for the Cardinals.

Click here for the complete box score from Sunday's game.

Final Regular Season Homestand at Hammons Field begins on Tuesday, August 23

The Cardinals hit the road for a six-game trip starting on Tuesday in Frisco at 7:05pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

Springfield then returns to Hammons Field for the final homestand of the Regular Season from Tuesday, August 23 - Monday, August 29. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:

-Tuesday, August 23, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, August 24, 6:30pm - Wednesday Night Baseball vs. the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Thursday, August 25, 7:10pm - Budweiser St. Louis Cardinals 2006 World Championship Beer Stein Giveaway (2,000, ages 21+) and a Klement's "Buck a Brat" Night. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, August 26, 7:10pm - AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring 2016 Top Hits. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, August 27, 6:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina "Final Out" Dual Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000) and a Specialty Jersey Auction to benefit GYNCA. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, August 28, 2:10pm - Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 1:10pm.

-Monday, August 29, 6:30pm - Fan Appreciation Day Free Vouchers for a 2017 Game, End of Season Fireworks Celebration and Pasta Express $1 Kids Orders of Toasted Ravioli. Gates open at 5:30pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking an Urban Cup Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.

Click here to view the full 2016 Promotional Schedule.

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