Cardinals come back for 6-4 win in homestand opener

Springfield, MO - The Springfield Cardinals rattled off six straight runs from the fourth through the sixth innings, coming back for the 6-4 win against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals before 5,290 fans at Hammons Field on Thursday night.

Coming off back-to-back starts of seven innings with only one run allowed, Cardinals All-Star LHP Kyle Hald (W, 8-3) was dominant through his first three scoreless frames against the Naturals (12-15, 37-60), alternating zeroes with Northwest Arkansas RHP Tim Melville (L, 1-9).

However, the Naturals broke through in the top of the fourth. With one away, DH Jorge Bonifacio started the rally with his second single of the game. 3B Hunter Dozier followed with a double, before 1B Max Ramirez cracked the scoreless tie with an RBI groundout. With two down, LF Edinson Rincon placed an RBI base hit to center field, followed by another two-out knock from C Micah Gibbs. With two on and two down, RF Justin Trapp skied a two-run double just inside the right field line, bringing in both runners to stretch it to 4-0.

The Cardinals (10-17, 44-53) responded right away in the bottom of the fourth inning against Melville. 1B Curt Smith started the stanza with a single to get on board and extend his current hitting streak to eight games. DH Jonathan Rodriguez then placed an infield single to the left side that led to a throwing error on SS Orlando Calixte, moving the runners to second and third. RF Starlin Rodriguez got the Cards on the board, slicing an infield single up the middle, scoring Smith and moving Jonathan Rodriguez to third. After a walk from 3B Patrick Wisdom loaded the bases, CF Rafael Ortega bounced into a double play, but brought in Jonathan Rodriguez in the process, making it just a 4-2 deficit.

After Hald tossed a quick, scoreless top of the fifth, the Cardinals completed the comeback with two more tallies against Melville in the bottom of the fifth. Springfield again started the inning by loading the bases with no outs, beginning with a base hit from LF Mike O'Neill. 2B Breyvic Valera followed with a walk, before the league's top hitter, C Cody Stanley, scorched a single to right field to load the bases. O'Neill then darted home from third on a double play ball hit by Smith, leaving Valera at third base as the only runner with two down. 1B Jonathan Rodriguez came through with a game-tying RBI single to right, bringing in Valera to square the score at 4-4.

Springfield stayed on the attack to take their first lead of the night in the bottom of the sixth inning. 3B Patrick Wisdom reached base on an error to start things off. Ortega then laid down a perfect bunt for a single that led to an errant throw past first base from 3B Hunter Dozier. On the throwing error, the ball bounced all the way down the right field line, enabling Wisdom to score from first and Ortega to end up at third. After a groundout, O'Neill brought in Ortega with an RBI sacrifice fly to center field, his 25th RBI of the year, increasing the brand-new lead to 6-4.

With Hald's six innings in the books, St. Louis Cardinals LHP Kevin Siegrist continued his Rehab Assignment with two-thirds of the scoreless seventh, striking out one. RHP Sam Tuivailala came in next for the final out in the seventh, as well as a scoreless eighth inning in just his third outing in Double-A.

LHP Justin Wright (S, 8) took over for the top of the ninth. After a leadoff double from Rincon, Wright retired the subsequent three batters in order on a pop out, a strikeout and a groundout, closing the 6-4 win for the Cardinals.

Click here for the complete box score from Thursday'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!

Click here for more information on Cardinals Promo Seats.

Friday Night Fireworks featuring Boy Band Music this Friday!

The Cardinals and Naturals continue the series with a 7:10pm First Pitch on Friday. Don't miss AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Boy Band Music after the game. Gates open at 6:10pm.

The homestand will also feature -

-Great Southern Bank Commemorative 10th Season Ring Giveaway (2,500) on Saturday, July 19. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

-Hiland Dairy Replica Batting Helmet Giveaway (2,500), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases on Sunday, July 20. First Pitch is 6:10pm, gates open at 5:10pm.

-Pasta Express $1 Kids Ravioli Night (All kids, 12-and-under) on Monday, July 21. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

-St. Louis Cardinals 2004 National League Championship Replica Ring Giveaway (2,500) and Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day on Tuesday, July 22. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

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.

Escape to Cardinals Baseball!