Cardinals shut out Travelers, 7-0

North Little Rock, AR - The Springfield Cardinals tossed their fourth shutout win of the season, 7-0, against the Arkansas Travelers before 6,762 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Saturday night.

The Cardinals (22-18) jumped in front in the top of the first inning against RHP Lay Batista (L, 2-4). Springfield loaded the bases to start the game with singles from LF Mike O'Neill and 3B Ruben Gotay around a walk from CF James Ramsey. DH Chris Swauger then ripped an RBI single up the middle, lifting Springfield to the early 1-0 lead.

The one run advantage proved to be enough run support for the trio of LHP Tim Cooney (W, 2-0), LHP Nick Greenwood and RHP Ramon Delgado, who combined to blank the Travelers (23-18). Cooney tossed the first six innings, striking out seven and scattering only five hits. Greenwood then dealt 1.2 scoreless innings, before Delgado closed it with 1.1 frames.

Springfield added to its lead in the top of the third frame. With one down, Gotay and Swauger smacked consecutive singles. 1B Xavier Scruggs then struck for the first of his five RBIs on the day, placing a single to center field to score Gotay for the 2-0 lead.

The Cardinals stretched the advantage in the top of the fifth. O'Neill led off the inning with a double, before Ramsey worked another walk. A Gotay single loaded the bases, before Batista got Swauger to line out for the frame's first out. However, Batista then hit Scruggs with a pitch, forcing home O'Neill from third. RHP Elvin Ramirez took over on the mound and dealt a quick strikeout, but RF Adam Melker worked an RBI free pass, plating Ramsey for the 4-0.

Scruggs put the finishing touches on the onslaught in the top of the ninth. With two down, Gotay extended the inning with a walk, before Swauger singled to right field to put two men on. Scruggs then launched a three-run home run to left field, accounting for the eventual final score of 7-0 in the Cardinals win.

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

The Cardinals continue the eight-game road trip in Arkansas on Sunday at 2:10pm. Catch all the action on JOCK 98.7 FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

Springfield returns home to begin an eight-game homestand on Wed., May 22 with a 7:05pm First Pitch against the Frisco RoughRiders. The homestand will feature the St. Louis Cardinals 2006 World Series Championship Replica Ring Giveaway (2,500 fans) on Thurs., May 23, AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Country Music on Fri., May 24, the Yadier Molina Gold and Platinum Glove Award Giveaway (2,500 fans) on Sat., May 25 and much more! Click below to view the full rundown of promotions at Hammons Field.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Cake Pop Company 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 Cardinals full 2013 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

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