Cards claim series win with 7-4 victory against Naturals

Springdale, AR - The Springfield Cardinals come back late with six runs in the seventh and eighth innings, claiming the 7-4 win against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals before 5,711 fans at Arvest Ballpark. The Cardinals also take the series win in Northwest Arkansas, three-games-to-one.

The Cardinals (11-11, 44-46) struck right away in the top of the first inning against RHP Aaron Brooks (L, 3-3). With one away and the bases empty, RF James Ramsey launched a solo home run over the right field wall, swinging the Cardinals in front, 1-0.

The Naturals (11-11, 36-56) responded right away against RHP Richard Castillo (W, 6-5) in the bottom of the first inning. CF Brett Eibner tied it right away with a leadoff solo home run over the left field fence to start the stanza. One out later, consecutive walks put on LF Brian Fletcher and 1B Matt Fields, before a wild pitch advanced the runners both into scoring position. 3B Cheslor Cuthbert then skied an RBI sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Fletcher for the 2-1 advantage.

The Cardinals raced back in front with four runs in the top of the seventh inning. Ramsey started the inning with a bunt single, followed by a base hit from DH Ruben Gotay. 1B Xavier Scruggs then worked a walk to load the bases for C Cody Stanley, who promptly hammered a bases-clearing, three-run double to right-center field, leap-frogging the Cardinals into the 4-2 lead. Stanley then took third base on a ground out, before CF Adam Melker brought him home with an RBI sacrifice fly for the 5-2 advantage.

An RBI base hit by Fletcher in the bottom of the seventh brought the Naturals within two, but the Cardinals stretched the lead back out in the top of the eighth inning. With one down, LF Mike O'Neill got on with a single against RHP Jason Bergmann. Gotay kept the inning going with a free pass and quickly stole his way to second base. 1B Xavier Scruggs then brought both runners in with a two-run single to left field, increasing the Cardinals lead to 7-3.

Eibner struck again with another solo home run in the bottom of the ninth, but RHP Deryk Hooker struck out the side around the long-ball, closing the 7-4 win for the Cardinals.

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

Don't miss St. Louis RHP Chris Carpenter make a rehab start in Springfield this Monday!

The former Cy Young Award Winner, two-time World Champion and three-time All-Star, Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter, will make a rehab start for the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field this Monday! First Pitch is 7:09pm, gates open at 6:09pm.

In nine years and 198 career starts as a Cardinal, Carpenter has gone 95-44, winning 15 or more games for the Cards in five of the six seasons in which he's made at least 20 starts. He ranks 3rd in Cardinals history with 1,085 strikeouts, only 10 behind Dizzy Dean. His .683 winning percentage as a Cardinal not only ranks 2nd all-time for St. Louis pitchers with at least 100 starts, but it is also the best in all of Major League Baseball over the past nine seasons.

He has been an All-Star three times throughout his career (2005, 2006 and 2010), and in 2005 became the first Cardinal since Rick Wise in 1973 to be named the starting pitcher for an All-Star Game.

Click here to get your tickets to see Chris Carpenter at Hammons Field this Monday!

Springfield returns home for a four-game home series against the Arkansas Travelers, starting this Sunday at 6:09pm. This Sunday is the Rick's Automotive Pink Tote Bag Giveaway (2,500) and the Pink in the Park Specialty Jersey Auction, benefiting the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.  

Sunday is also a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with a free ice cream party for kids before the game, courtesy of Hiland Dairy. All kids can then run the bases just like the Cardinals after the game. Gates open at 5:09pm.

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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