Cardinals cruise to 8-4 win in San Antonio

San Antonio, TX - The Springfield Cardinals struck for two runs in the top of the first and never looked back, cruising to the 8-4 win against the San Antonio Missions before 4,745 fans at Wolff Stadium on Friday night.

Springfield (3-5) struck right away in the top of the first against RHP Devin Jones (L, 1-1). LF Mike O'Neill started the game with a leadoff walk, before CF James Ramsey was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. Both runners moved up ninety feet on a wild pitch while Jones got SS Aledmys Diaz on a strikeout. With 1B Curt Smith at the plate, Jones unleashed another wild pitch, scoring O'Neill and moving Ramsey to third. Smith then swatted an RBI sacrifice fly to center field, driving in Ramsey from third to make it 2-0.

The Cardinals added a third run in the top of the second. After a one-out base hit by 2B Matt Williams, RHP Seth Blair ripped a two-out RBI double to right field, scoring Williams with his first career hit and first career RBI for the 3-0 advantage.

After the Missions (4-4) got on the board against Blair (W, 1-0) with a solo home run by RF Kyle Gaedele in the second, they added a second tally in the bottom of the fourth. With runners at second and third and one down, C Rob Kral knocked an RBI sacrifice fly to center field, bringing in SS Jace Peterson to make it 3-2.

Springfield, though, stretched the lead back out right away with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. With two down, O'Neill kept the inning alive with a single. Ramsey then followed with a towering two-run bomb to center field, making it 5-2.

The Cardinals added a sixth run on an RBI sacrifice bunt from Williams in the top of the sixth, before San Antonio's final comeback try in the bottom of the frame. After a groundout started the inning, 2B Cory Spangenberg got all the way to second on a two-base error. Peterson brought him home with an RBI double, and then darted home when LF Rymer Liriano drove an RBI single. However, Blair responded by inducing a 4-6-3 double play to wrap up the frame and keep the Cards in front, 6-4.

Once again, Springfield had a prompt response with two final runs in the top of the seventh inning. After RHP Luis De La Cruz started the frame with a strikeout, O'Neill and Ramsey worked consecutive walks. Diaz then reached on an error to load the bases, before an RBI walk drawn by Smith forced in O'Neill. RF Rafael Ortega drove in the final run with an RBI sacrifice fly to right field, stretching the lead to four runs.

LHP Ryan Sherriff, who had pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth, started the ninth inning before giving way to LHP Dean Kiekhefer (S, 1). With two on and one down, Kiekhefer navigated the Cardinals through the frame in scoreless fashion, closing the 8-4 win for Springfield.

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

Cardinals kick off next home series on Thursday, April 17

Springfield continues the Texas trip on Saturday against San Antonio at 7:05pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

The Cardinals return home to start a four-game home series against the Arkansas Travelers on Thursday, April 17. Thursday's game is a "Buck a Brat" Night with $1 bratwursts at the ballpark. First Pitch is 7:10pm, gates open at 6:10pm.

The Cardinals and Travelers square off on Friday, April 18 for game two of the series at 7:10pm. Don't miss a phenomenal AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks Show featuring One-Hit Wonders after the game. Gates open at 6:10pm.

The series continues on Saturday, April 19 with a 6:10pm First Pitch and the Branson Zipline Flight Crew T-Shirt Giveaway for 2,500 fans. Gates open at 5:10pm, so come early and get one of these one-of-a-kind t-shirts!

The Cards and Travs wrap up the series with a 4:10pm First Pitch on Sunday, April 20. Start the day and your Easter celebration with us at the annual Sunrise Service at Hammons Field. Then in the afternoon, there will be the Easter Egg Hunt EGGstravaganza for 1,000 kids 10-and-under before the game. Gates open at 3:10pm.

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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