Travs take finale from Cards, 8-4

North Little Rock, AR - The Arkansas Travelers struck for five runs in the eighth inning for the 8-4 win against the Springfield Cardinals at Dickey-Stephens Park on Saturday night.

After Cardinals RHP Connor Jones faced the minimum through his first two scoreless innings, the Travelers (13-7, 48-42) got on the board in the bottom of the third. With runners at the corners and two away, RF Chuck Taylor placed an RBI infield single to short, bringing home C Joe DeCarlo from third base to lift Arkansas ahead, 1-0.

Arkansas RHP Max Povse opened his outing with four straight scoreless innings, but the Cardinals (5-17, 38-54) tied it in the top of the fifth. 2B Ramón Urías led off with a double to left field, tacking a 13th game onto his hitting streak. After a base hit by 3B Evan Mendoza moved Urias to third, he then scored on a double play ball hit by 1B John Nogowski that tied it, 1-1.

The Travs, though, got right back in front with a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth. With two on and two down, SS Yonathan Mendoza reached on a fielding error committed by 1B John Nogowski that scored LF Dario Pizzano from third base and extended the inning. CF Beau Amaral followed with an RBI single, bringing home 2B Donnie Walton and making it 3-1.

The Cardinals bounced right back in the top of the eighth with two unearned runs of their own. An error allowed Nogowski to get all the way to second, followed by a single from CF Lane Thomas. An errant pickoff throw from RHP Matt Walker (W, 2-1) brought home Nogowski and moved Thomas to second. C Jeremy Martinez then tied it with an RBI double to left field, scoring Thomas and making it 3-3.

Arkansas, however, once again reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the eighth. With one away and RHP Will Latcham (L, 1-1) on the mound, a double, a walk and a single loaded the bases. CF Beau Amaral lined an RBI base hit to right field for the go-ahead run, before LF Chuck Taylor sent a grand slam out to right field, opening the Arkansas lead to 8-3.

The Cardinals refused to go down quietly, striking for a two-out run in the ninth against RHP David Mckay. After a pair of strikeouts to open the inning, 3B Evan Mendoza kept the game going with his third single of the night. He then raced all the way home when Nogowski belted an RBI double off the left field fence. McKay, though, dug in with a game-ending strikeout and avoided any further damage, closing the 8-4 win for the Travelers.
Carlos Martínez Bobbleheads this Sunday, July 15 kick off homestand
Springfield returns home for a four-game series at Hammons Field against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Sunday, July 15 - Wednesday, July 18, featuring:

-Sunday, July 15, 6:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals Carlos Martinez Mystery Hair Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Monday, July 16, 6:30pm - Monday Night Baseball vs. Northwest Arkansas. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Tuesday, July 17, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, July 18, 6:30pm - Purina Woof Wednesday with dogs welcome at the ballpark. Gates open at 5:30pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a 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 full Promotional Schedule and to order your tickets right now.