Cardinals sweep Travelers in Friday doubleheader

North Little Rock, AR - The Springfield Cardinals took both seven-inning games of Friday's doubleheader against the Arkansas Travelers, 3-2 in Game 1 and 3-0 in Game 2, before 5,244 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park.

Game 1:

After the Travelers (6-7) got on the board in the bottom of the first against RHP Carlos Martinez, the Cardinals (6-7) came right back in the top of the third.  Facing RHP Manny Correa with two down, 2B Starlin Rodriguez was hit by a pitch to extend the inning.  He then stole second base while also drawing an errant throw by C Jett Bandy, enabling Rodriguez to go all the way to third.  LF Mike O'Neill brought Rodriguez home with an RBI single to left field, making it 1-1.

The Cardinals cracked the tie in the top of the sixth against LHP Buddy Bowshers (L, 0-1).  2B Ruben Gotay worked a walk to start the inning, before RF Chris Swauger unloaded a two-run homer over the right field wall, swinging Springfield in front, 3-1.

The Travelers came closer with a solo shot by 1B C.J. Cron in the bottom of the sixth, before loading the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but RHP Michael Blazek (S, 1) struck out the side in the final frame, closing the 3-2 win for the Cardinals.  LHP Anthony Ferrara (W, 1-1) dealt three innings of one-run relief to register the win.

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

Game 2:

Springfield (7-7) picked up right where they left off in the first game, jumping in front in the top of the third inning against RHP Lay Batista (L, 0-3).  With two on and two down, 3B Ruben Gotay pulled a two-run double to right field, lifting the Cardinals to the early 2-0 lead.

Meanwhile, RHP Boone Whiting (W, 2-0) and LHP Kevin Siegrist (S, 1) shut down the Arkansas (6-8) bats, combining to toss the Cardinals second shutout win of the season.  Whiting dealt the first five scoreless innings, striking out six and scattering just four hits.  Siegrist then struck out six batters through his two shutout frames.

C Audry Perez tacked on an insurance run with an RBI single in the top of the seventh.  Siegrist then struck out all four batters he faced in the bottom of the seventh, including one that reached on a dropped third strike, closing the 3-0 win for the Cardinals.

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

Springfield returns to Hammons Field on Monday, April 22 at 7:09 p.m. to start an eight-game homestand, with the first four against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the latter four against the Arkansas Travelers.  

The homestand will feature the 2012 Texas League Championship Replica Ring Giveaway (2,500) on Thurs., April 25, AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring 60's British Rock-N-Roll on Fri., April 26, the Price Cutter and Bar-S Texas League Championship Jersey T-Shirt Giveaway (2,500) on Sat., April 27, the Empire Bank Green Cap Giveaway (2,500) on Sun., April 28 and more!  Click below to view the full Promotional Schedule for the upcoming homestand and to get your tickets right now.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, ordering the new Friday, Saturday, and Promo Items Packs (only 100 available), the custom-designed Championship Packs (only 100 available) or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-0395 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.

Click here for the Cardinals full 2013 Promotional Schedule.

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