Cardinals take finale in Midland, 3-2

Midland, TX - The Springfield Cardinals took the final game of the series against the Midland RockHounds, 3-2, before 4,256 fans at Citibank Ballpark on Sunday evening. Springfield moves back into sole possession of 1st place in the North Division Second Half Standings, one game in front of the Arkansas Travelers.

The Cardinals (29-27, 62-62) rallied with two away in the top of the first inning against RHP Drew Carpenter (L, 3-2), seizing the early advantage in Midland. With two down and the bases empty, 3B Ruben Gotay kept the inning alive with a single to center field, before quickly motoring to second base with a steal. 1B Xavier Scruggs then ripped an RBI single to left-center field, plating Gotay from second for the 1-0 advantage.

After LHP Jonathan Cornelius (W, 5-6) kept the 1-0 lead intact through his first three scoreless frames, the RockHounds (22-34, 55-71) got on the board against him in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one down, 3B Jefry Marte reached on a single, before racing all the way around on an RBI triple by 1B Max Muncy, evening the score, 1-1.

Springfield swung out of the tie against Carpenter and RHP Blake Hassebrock in the top of the sixth inning. After the Cardinals loaded the bases with a Gotay single and two hit batters by Carpenter, Hassebrock took over on the mound. C Cody Stanley ripped a line drive but it was right at SS Darwin Perez, who made the catch and doubled up Scruggs away from second base, leaving runners at the corners with two down. LF Starlin Rodriguez followed with a sharp grounder to third that 3B Jefry Marte attempted to throw to second for the inning-ending force out. However, Marte's throw was wide, pulling 2B Dusty Coleman off the bag allowing RF Stephen Piscotty to reach second base safely and Gotay to charge in from third, lifting Springfield into the 2-1 lead.

The Cardinals tacked on an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning. With one down, Scruggs got back on base with a free pass. Piscotty followed with an RBI double just inside the left field line, scoring Scruggs all the way from first base for the 3-1 advantage.

RHP Kevin Thomas concluded his scoreless relief outing by retiring the first batter in the bottom of the ninth, before giving way to LHP Lee Stoppelman (S, 4). Stoppelman quickly got Muncy to ground out, but DH Vinnie Catricala brought the RockHounds within one run of tying the game with a two-out, solo home run. Stoppelman responded by inducing a soft comebacker off the bat of C Beau Taylor, closing the 3-2 win for the Cardinals.

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

Springfield returns home for a four-game home series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, starting on Tuesday, August 20. That Tuesday is a Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day with delicious hot dogs for just a buck each, along with a 7:09pm First Pitch.

That series against the Naturals will also feature a Wednesday night contest on Wednesday, August 21, followed by the St. Louis Cardinals 2006 World Championship Replica Ring Giveaway (2,500) and a Johnsonville "Buck a Brat" Night on Thursday, August 22. The series wraps up with the American National Back-to-Back Texas League Player of the Year T-Shirt Giveaway (2,500) and an AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks Show featuring Top 40 Music on Friday, August 23. First Pitch each night is 7:09pm, with gates opening at 6:09pm. 

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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