Cards win 5th straight, topping Frisco, 2-1, in 13 innings

Springfield, MO - The Springfield Cardinals completed the series sweep with a 2-1 walk-off win in the bottom of the 13th inning against the Frisco RoughRiders, before 4,972 fans at Hammons Field on Thursday night. Springfield extended its winning streak to five straight games, pulling within only one game of the 1st-place Arkansas Travelers.

Despite Cardinals LHP Tim Cooney striking out the side in the top of the first inning, the RoughRiders (18-29, 57-60) managed to swing in front in the opening frame. With one down, 2B Rougned Odor powered a low fly ball over the right field wall, lifting Frisco into the 1-0 lead.

Cooney kept the Cardinals (24-23, 57-58) within one run, retiring 20 of the next 23 batters, including a stretch of 10 straight outs, limiting the 'Riders bats through his first seven innings.

Frisco RHP Luke Jackson, however, kept the RoughRiders ahead during six scoreless innings, striking out six batters and allowing only four hits. The Cardinals, though, struck right away against former Springfield and St. Louis Cardinal RHP Kyle McClellan in the bottom of the seventh. DH Ruben Gotay led off the inning with a walk, scooting to second base on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, Gotay took third base on a fly ball retired in right field. Gotay then darted home when SS Luis Sardinas misplayed a ground ball hit by C Cody Stanley, squaring the score at 1-1.

After a scoreless eighth by Cooney, the southpaw's evening was complete with a season-high 10 strikeouts. LHP Lee Stoppelman took over for the ninth and picked up right where Cooney left off, striking out the side in both of his scoreless frames. LHP Danny Miranda logged 1.1 scoreless relief innings, before RHP Jose Almarante (W, 2-1) continued the tie with 1.2 scoreless frames.

The Cardinals broke through in the bottom of the 13th against RHP Phil Klein (L, 5-1). With two down, 2B Colin Walsh singled to left field to keep the inning alive. Gotay followed with a base hit to right field, which led to two Frisco errors. RF Joe Benson bobbled the ball for the first miscue, which gave Walsh the opportunity to round third and try to score. 1B Brett Nicholas then committed the second error on the play, firing the relay throw wide of the plate as Walsh slid home safely, lifting the Cardinals to the 2-1 walk-off win.

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

This Friday is the next installment of the phenomenal AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks after the Cardinals take on the Midland RockHounds at 7:09pm. This week's can't miss show will feature music by The King. Gates open at 6:09pm.

The series with Midland continues on Saturday with the Mercy Texas League Championship Dry Fit T-Shirt Giveaway for 2,500 fans. First Pitch is 6:09pm with gates opening at 5:09pm.

The homestand wraps up on Sunday with the Maria's Mexican Restaurant Shelby Miller Bobblehead Giveaway for 2,500 fans. Sunday's game is also a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with a free ice cream party for kids before the game, and then all kids can run the bases after the game. First Pitch is 6:09pm, gates open at 5:09pm.

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

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