Springfield, MO - OF Randy Arozarena belted a solo blast to start the bottom of the 12th inning, sending the Springfield Cardinals to the 8-7 walk-off win against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals before the sellout crowd of 7,512 fans at Hammons Field on Saturday night. It marks the Cardinals third
Springfield, MO - OF Randy Arozarena belted a solo blast to start the bottom of the 12th inning, sending the Springfield Cardinals to the 8-7 walk-off win against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals before the sellout crowd of 7,512 fans at Hammons Field on Saturday night. It marks the Cardinals third straight win and third consecutive sellout during this four-game home series.
The Naturals (16-27, 55-58) came out swinging in the top of the first inning against RHP Zac Gallen. After a one-out walk put rehabbing Royals RF Paulo Orlando on base, DH Samir Dueñez skied a two-run home run to right field, opening the 2-0 lead for the Naturals.
The Cardinals (27-16, 62-51), though, rallied right back in the bottom of the first inning against RHP Corey Ray. CF Magneuris Sierra sparked the rally with an infield single, before racing all the way home from first on an RBI double by LF Randy Arozarena. Arozarena moved to third on a wild pitch, and then darted home on an RBI groundout to short from 2B Darren Seferina to tie the game. 1B John Nogowski singled himself aboard, but Ray battled back with a fly out for the second out of the inning. However, RF Anthony García came through with a two-out RBI double to left field, bringing in Nogowski from first base for the 3-2 lead.
Gallen kept the lead intact with a scoreless second, but the Naturals moved in front in the top of the third. With one away and the bases empty, Duenez struck again with his second homer of the game, a solo shot to left field, tying the game at 3-3. After Gallen battled back with a strikeout, CF Donnie Dewees kept the inning alive with a double off the top of the right-center field fence. 1B Mauricio Ramos then chopped an infield single inside the third base line that led to a throwing error charged to 3B Jacob Wilson, allowing Dewees to score from second base for the 4-3 lead. With Ramos at second base, LF Anderson Miller singled through the left side of the infield, bringing in Ramos to make it 5-3.
The Cardinals came right back in the bottom of the fourth. With one on and two away, C Jesse Jenner belted a two-run blast into the Naturals bullpen beyond the left field fence, squaring the score at 5-5.
Northwest Arkansas dealt the next blow, reclaiming the lead in the top of the sixth inning against RHP Pedro Echemendia. Singles from C Nick Dini and 2B Carlos Diaz opened the inning, before both runners advanced one bag each on a sacrifice bunt from SS Nicky Lopez. An RBI groundout from Orlando plated Dini for the go-ahead run. LHP Corey Littrell took over on the mound but lost DH Samir Duenez to a walk, followed by an RBI single from 3B Humberto Arteaga, opening the new lead to 7-5.
Springfield shaved the deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning against LHP Matt Tenuta. With two outs and the bases clear, 3B Jacob Wilson clobbered his 13th home run of the season, a solo shot up onto the left field grass berm, bringing Springfield within one run, 7-6.
The Cardinals completed the comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning. RF Anthony Garcia laced a double into the right field corner to start the inning, prior to being pinch-run for by CF Oscar Mercado. Two outs later, Jenner delivered another game-tying drive, pulling an RBI single to left field to score Mercado and tie the game at 7-7.
The tie remained intact until the bottom of the 12th inning. Leading off against RHP Mark Peterson (L, 0-1), Arozarena connected on his fourth hit of the night, sending a walk-off solo home run to left field, catapulting the Cardinals to the 8-7 win in 12 innings.
Team Baseball Card Sets, Free Pregame Ice Cream for Kids, Kids Run the Bases and more on Sunday, August 6
The Cardinals wrap up the home series on Sunday, August 6 with the Sysco Foods Team Baseball Card Set Giveaway for 2,000 fans.
Sunday is also a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with free ice cream for kids before the game. All kids can then run the bases just like the Cardinals afer the game. Gates open at 5:10pm.
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 complete 2017 Promotional Schedule and to order your tickets right now.
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