Cardinals crush Naturals, 11-2

Springdale, AR - The Springfield Cardinals scored nine straight runs from the fourth through the sixth, blowing out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 11-2, before 3,910 fans at Arvest Ballpark on Thursday night.

After the Naturals (11-22) struck first with one run in the bottom of the first against RHP Seth Blair (W, 3-1), the Cardinals (17-16) came right back in the top of the second. With one down, DH Cody Stanley picked up the first of his three hits, singling himself on base. One out later, 2B Jacob Wilson worked a walk that moved Stanley to second, before SS Matt Williams brought him in with an RBI single to tie it, 1-1.

Springfield then seized the lead with a four-run rally in the top of the fourth. With two on and no outs, 3B Patrick Wisdom launched a three-run home run to left field, opening a 4-1 lead. Wilson then doubled, before LF Mike O'Neill capped the rally with a two-out RBI single later in the inning, making it 5-1.

The Cardinals kept swinging away with three more runs in the fifth. With one down, 1B Curt Smith swung himself to scoring position with a double. Stanley followed with a single, before both runners raced home on a ground ball from Wisdom that got by 3B Jared Schlehuber on a fielding error inside the third base line. With Wisdom at second base, Wilson struck with an RBI single, stretching the advantage to 8-1.

The barrage continued with two more runs for the Cardinals in the top of the sixth. O'Neill was hit by a pitch to start the inning, before RF Rafael Ortega worked a walk. A fielding error on 2B Justin Trapp and a double play ball ended up scoring the runs, widening the gap to 10-1.

After Blair kept the Naturals at only one run through his first five frames, including a stretch of retiring 13 of 14 batters, Northwest Arkansas scratched their second run across in the sixth. With LF Whit Merrifield at third and two away, 1B Mark Threlkeld placed his second RBI single of the game, chipping the Cardinals lead to 10-2.

However, Springfield got the run right back in the top of the eighth. With one down, Smith and Stanley worked consecutive walks. One out later, Wilson struck with another RBI single, increasing the Cardinals advantage back to nine runs.

LHP Ryan Sherriff tossed his second scoreless relief inning in the bottom of the eighth, before RHP Ronnie Shaban closed the 11-2 win for the Cardinals with a scoreless ninth.

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

Cardinals come back on May 16 for a four-game series

The Cardinals continue the road trip this Friday against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at 7:35pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7 FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

Springfield then returns home on Friday, May 16 to host the Arkansas Travelers for a four-game series at Hammons Field. Don't miss phenomenal AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring 60s British Rock & Roll after the 7:10pm game. Gates open at 6:10pm.

The Cards and Travs then square off on Saturday, May 17 with a 6:10pm First Pitch. That day features the Coca-Cola 3/4 Sleeve Shirt Giveaway for 2,500 fans. Gates open at 5:10pm.

Sunday, May 18 will be a 2:10pm game at Hammons Field, as well as a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with free ice cream for kids before the game. All kids can then run the bases just like Cardinals after the game with The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases promotion. Gates open at 1:10pm.

The series then wraps up on Monday, May 19 with a 7:10pm First Pitch against the Travelers. 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.

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