Cardinals walk off again, topping Midland, 2-1, in 9th

Springfield, MO - For the third time in the last four games, the Springfield Cardinals claimed a walk-off win, this time topping the Midland RockHounds, 2-1, before 5,876 fans at Hammons Field. Extending their season-high winning streak to six games, the Cardinals have moved into a three-way tie for 1st place with Arkansas and Tulsa.

Springfield RHP Zach Petrick and Midland LHP Carlos Hernandez alternated a pair of scoreless innings, before the RockHounds (17-31, 50-68) struck first in the top of the third inning. SS Darwin Perez started the stanza with a single, advancing to second base on a ground out. After stealing third base, Perez came home on a two-out RBI single from DH Josh Whitaker, putting Midland in the early advantage, 1-0.

Petrick kept the Cardinals (25-23, 58-58) close with two more scoreless innings, before RHP Zach Russell took over and logged a scoreless top of the sixth. Springfield then evened the score in the bottom of the sixth against Hernandez. SS Luis Mateo started the frame with a bunt single, before motoring to second on a stolen base. After Hernandez logged consecutive strikeouts, RF Stephen Piscotty placed an RBI single through the middle of the infield to bring in Mateo from second and bring the Cardinals back even, 1-1.

Russell finished with three scoreless relief innings, before LHP Justin Wright and RHP Heath Wyatt (W, 3-1) navigated the Cards through a scoreless top of the ninth.

Springfield then ended it in the bottom of the ninth inning, facing LHP Frank Gailey (L, 1-3). Piscotty led off the inning with his third single of the game, giving way to pinch runner Adam Melker. After CF James Ramsey was hit by a pitch, LF Starlin Rodriguez laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners to second and third base. The RockHounds then intentionally walked SS Jake Lemmerman, loading the bases with one away. C Casey Rasmus put down a perfectly-placed squeez bunt to the third base side, enabling Melker to sprint in from third base for the 2-1 walk off win for Springfield.

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

The series with Midland continues on Saturday with the Mercy Texas League Championship Dry Fit T-Shirt Giveaway for 2,500 fans. St. Louis OF Shane Robinson will also suit up for Springfield, continuing his MLB Rehab at Hammons Field. First Pitch is 6:09pm with gates opening at 5:09pm.

The homestand and Robinson's Rehab Assignment wrap 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.

Click here for the Cardinals full 2013 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

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