Cards and Travs split doubleheader before 7,303 fans

Springfield, MO - The Springfield Cardinals and the Arkansas Travelers split Sunday's doubleheader before a sell-out crowd of 7,303 fans at Hammons Field. The Cards took the first seven-inning game, 15-2, before Arkansas won the second contest, 1-0.

OF Chris Swauger helped lead the offense with six RBIs in the first game, just one short of the Cardinals all-time individual record for a single game. LF Mike O'Neill reached base in all eight of his plate appearances through the two games, collecting six singles and two walks.

The Cardinals (11-11) took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning against RHP Mike Piazza (L, 1-1). LF Mike O'Neill started the stanza with a base hit, and then raced to third on a stolen base with a throwing error by C Mark Fleury. With one down, 3B Ruben Gotay placed an RBI single just inside the first base line, scoring O'Neill for the 1-0 lead.

Springfield added three tallies to the advantage in the bottom of the third. Consecutive singles by SS Jake Lemmerman and O'Neill got the frame going. After a strikeout, Gotay struck again with another RBI single, plating Lemmerman and moving O'Neill to second. A walk by 1B Xavier Scruggs loaded the bases, before RF Chris Swauger ripped a two-run single to center field, increasing the Cardinals lead to 4-0.

The Cardinals kept swinging away in the bottom of the fourth. With one down, C Audry Perez connected for a double to left-center field. After a Lemmerman walk and an O'Neill base hit loaded the bases, DH Tommy Pham worked an RBI walk forcing in Perez from third. Gotay then bounced into an RBI fielder's choice, plating Lemmerman and putting Springfield into the 6-0 lead.

After four scoreless frames by RHP Scott McGregor (W, 3-1), the Travelers (10-12) found their way onto the scoreboard against the Cards starter in the top of the fifth. 2B Taylor Lindsey and CF Travis Witherspoon started the frame with a single and a double, respectively, putting runners at second and third. After a foul out, SS Rolando Gomez skied an RBI sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Lindsey to make it 6-1.

However, the Cardinals blew the game open with a season-high eight runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, just two runs shy of tying the Springfield all-time single inning record. Patience fueled the charge, with the Cardinals working six walks in the inning leading to a massive grand slam by Swauger. CF Adam Melker also doubled in a run, while Perez and Scruggs both added RBIs in the frame, putting the Cardinals up, 14-1.

After SS Jake Lemmerman crushed a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth, Arkansas 2B Taylor Lindsey knocked one of his own in the top of the 7th, accounting for the 15-2 final score in the Cardinals seven-inning win.

Click here for the complete box score from Game 1.

The second game followed a different pattern, featuring a pitcher's duel between Cardinals LHP Anthony Ferrara (L, 2-2) and Arkansas RHP Jarrett Grube (W, 4-0).

The only run of the game came on a solo home run by DH Randal Grichuk to lead off the top of the second, lifting the Travelers (11-12) ahead of the Cardinals (11-12), 1-0. Ferrara allowed only the one run through five innings of work, striking out five and scattering only four hits.

However, Grube dealt six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts, allowing just three hits with three walks to lead the Travelers to the 1-0 win in seven innings.

Click here for the complete box score from Game 2.

Escape to morning baseball this Monday with an 11:09 a.m. First Pitch against the Travs. At least join us on your lunch break! Gates open at 10:09am.  

Additionally, Monday will be a Missouri Department of Conservation Educational Day, with a pre-game lesson in conservation for school groups.  

Monday will also be a High School Career Day, offering high school students an inside look at what it is like to work in professional sports. 

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.

Escape to Cardinals Baseball!