Mayers dominates as Cardinals crush Hounds, 9-1

Midland, TX - RHP Mike Mayers dealt a dominant seven innings to help lead the Springfield Cardinals to the decisive 9-1 win against the Midland RockHounds before 3,491 fans at Security Bank Ballpark on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Cardinals wrap up their second straight series victory, winning four of six games in the Texas road trip.

Cardinals 1B Jonathan Rodriguez continued his league-best 22-game on-base streak, going 2-for-5 with a single and a double.

The Cardinals (21-28, 55-64) cracked the scoreless tie early, striking for three runs with a two-out rally in the top of the second. After RHP Murphy Smith (L, 1-3) retired the first two outs, 3B Patrick Wisdom and 2B Matt Williams worked consecutive walks to extend the inning. SS Alex Mejia then smoked a two-out, RBI single to center field, bringing in Wisdom and moving Williams to third. LF David Popkins then tattooed a two-run triple to right-center field, scoring both runners to make it 3-0.

After RHP Mike Mayers (W, 3-5) struck out the side in the bottom of the second, the Cardinals added two more in the top of the third. The inning again was extended by a two-out walk, this time from DH Curt Smith. RF Rafael Ortega then blasted a two-run home run over the right field wall, increasing the advantage to 5-0.

The Cardinals opened the lead further with four more runs in the top of the fifth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate in the frame. CF Charlie Tilson, C Cody Stanley and 1B Jonathan Rodriguez each singled to start the inning, loading the bases with no outs. A wild pitch brought in Tilson and put runners at second and third, before RHP Marcus Walden got the first out on a strikeout. Ortega then struck again with an RBI single, followed quickly by an RBI single from Wisdom to make it 8-0. One out later, Mejia capped the rally with an RBI double, bringing in Ortega for the 9-0 advantage.

While the Cards lineup was swinging away, Mayers continued his dominant outing through seven scoreless innings, scattering only four hits while striking out four. The right-hander posted a three-batter frame in all but one inning, facing only 22 batters in total, just one over the minimum.

With RHP Dixon Llorens taking over on the mound for his Double-A debut in the bottom of the eighth, the RockHounds (28-22, 67-53) finally managed to crack the scoreboard. Llorens started the stanza with a strikeout, before 3B Hiro Nakajima singled to left field. After another strikeout from Llorens, LF Chad Oberacker lined an RBI single to right field, bringing in Nakajima for the Hounds first run.

After Llorens finished the eighth, RHP Jeremy Berg took over for the bottom of the ninth. The right-hander slammed the door on the RockHounds with a perfect final frame, closing the decisive 9-1 win for Springfield.

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

Guarantee Individual Promo Items with the brand-new Promo Seats

The brand-new Promo Seats Package includes one Diamond Box Ticket for a game featuring a Promotional Item and guarantees that you receive one of that night's Promotional Items, plus a portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative to provide tickets for area youth and non-profit organizations.

By purchasing the Promo Seats, fans will have an item reserved for them regardless of where they are in line or what time they arrive at the game. And, for the first time, out-of-town fans that order a Promo Seat Package can choose to have their Promotional Item mailed to them for an additional shipping and handling charge of $10 per item. Both out of town fans and those unable to make the game may donate their game ticket to the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative.

Promo Seat Packages are just $28 each and there are only 61 available for each game. Call the Ticket Office at (417) 863-2143 right now to order yours!

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Team Baseball Card Sets, Girl Power Fireworks, 10 Years of Cardinals History Canvases and more coming up

Springfield returns home for a six-game homestand from Tuesday, August 12 - Sunday, August 17, including:

-Sysco Foods Team Baseball Card Set Giveaway (2,500) and Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day on Tuesday, August 12. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-"Buck a Brat" Night with $1 bratwursts throughout the game on Thursday, August 14. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Girl Power Music on Friday, August 15. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-Mercy 10 Years of Cardinals History Canvas Giveaway (2,500) on Saturday, August 16. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

-Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases on Sunday, August 17. First Pitch is 2:10pm, gates open at 1:10pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a The Cup 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 complete 2014 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

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