Cardinals take series win with 3-1 victory

Springfield, MO - The Springfield Cardinals collected the series win with a 3-1 victory against the San Antonio Missions before 2,693 fans at Hammons Field on Tuesday afternoon.

For the second straight game, the Cardinals (5-7) plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the first.  Facing LHP Jose De Paula (L, 0-2), CF Tommy Pham led off the frame with his league-best fifth triple of the season.  SS Jake Lemmerman followed with an RBI single up the middle, before going from first to third on a base hit by 3B Ruben Gotay.  After a pop out, LF Chris Swauger grounded an RBI base hit to center field, doubling the early lead to 2-0.

Cardinals RHP Scott McGregor (W, 2-1) kept the Missions (6-6) off the board through the first three innings, but San Antonio struck in the fourth.  With one on and two down, 3B Jake Blackwood came up with an RBI double to left-center field, cutting the Springfield lead to 2-1.

However, the Cardinals responded right away in the bottom of the fourth.  C Travis Tartamella opened the inning with a booming double off the left-center field wall.  He then raced to third on a ground out to third base, and when Missions 1B Tommy Medica attempted to throw out Tartamella at third, covering LHP Jose De Paula missed the catch, leading the throw to bounce down the left-field line.  Tartamella then popped up and scored on the missed-catch error, stretching the lead to 3-1.

After McGregor lasted the first six, RHP Deryk Hooker and RHP Michael Blazek (S, 1) combined for three scoreless relief innings, closing the 3-1 win for the Cardinals.

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

The Cardinals hit the road for a four-game series against the Arkansas Travelers, starting this Thursday at 7:10 p.m.  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 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.  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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