Cardinals walk off against Travs, 5-4, before 6,761 fans

Springfield, MO - An RBI single by DH Cody Stanley in the bottom of the ninth propelled the Springfield Cardinals to an exciting 5-4 victory against the Arkansas Travelers before a sellout crowd of 6,761 fans at Hammons Field on Friday night.

The Cardinals (3-1, 36-36) started the game swinging away against RHP Matt Oye, belting three solo home runs through the first two innings. CF James Ramsey and LF Chris Swauger both swatted shots in the first, before Stanley went yard in the second to make it 3-0 through two frames.

However, the Travs (2-2, 35-38) evened it against LHP Tim Cooney in the top of the third inning. Back-to-back singles by DH Rolando Gomez and CF Travis Witherspoon started the frame with two men on. Cooney retired the next two batters, before a walk by 2B Taylor Lindsey loaded the bases. A passed ball advanced everyone ninety feet, bringing in Gomez from third base to get the Travs on the board. LF Luis Montanez then tied the game with a two-run single, evening it at 3-3.

Arkansas struck again in the top of the sixth inning. RF Randal Grichuk led off with a base hit to get a man on early. Lindsey tried to bunt Grichuk over, but 3B Ruben Gotay made an excellent diving catch on the popped up bunt attempt, retiring Lindsey and keeping Grichuk at first base. However, Montanez came through with an RBI double tucked just inside the left field line, scoring Grichuk from first base for the 4-3 lead.

The Cardinals, though, came right back in the bottom of the sixth. With one down, Gotay singled his way to first base and took second on a wild pitch. Swauger then grounded an RBI single through the middle, plating Gotay for the 4-4 tie.

The score stayed knotted until the the Cards came up in the bottom of the ninth. Gotay sparked the charge with a leadoff double. Swauger then followed with a sharp grounder to second base, which 2B Taylor Lindsey fielded quickly and fired to third. Gotay was ruled out on the play, while Swauger reached base safely at first. After Swauger moved to second base on a wild pitch, the Travs intentionally walked 1B Xavier Scruggs to pitch to Stanley. Stanley promptly scorched an RBI single that grazed off Lindsey's glove and carried to right field, scoring Swauger from second base to lift the Cardinals to the 5-4 walk-off win.

RHP Heath Wyatt (W, 1-0) tossed 2.1 scoreless relief innings to log the win, while RHP Kevin Johnson (L, 2-3) was tagged with the loss.

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

Saturday is the Mid Missouri Credit Union and Fort Leonard Wood Military Appreciation Night, as we salute the men and women who protect our freedom and our way of life. Saturday's game will be followed by a Military Appreciation Fireworks Celebration, and the Cardinals will be wearing Specialty Camo Jerseys during the game. First Pitch is 6:09pm, gates open at 5:09pm.

The Cardinals will wear the Camo Jerseys again on Sunday, and will auction them off during the game to benefit the March of Dimes. Also on Sunday, it is the Vision Clinic and Oakley Sunglasses Oscar Taveras Texas League Player of the Year Bobblehead Giveaway for 2,500 fans. Additionally, Sunday is a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with a free ice cream party for kids before the game, and then all kids can run the bases after the game. First Pitch is 2:09pm, gates open at 1:09pm.

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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