Missions take back-and-forth battle, 5-3

San Antonio, TX - The San Antonio Missions struck for a pair in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the hard-fought 5-3 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 5,738 fans at Wolff Stadium on Saturday night.

The Missions (4-6, 42-37) cracked the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third against LHP Anthony Ferrara. After a walk and a hit batter started the inning, CF Rico Noel laid down a bunt for an infield single, loading the bases. After a strikeout and a fielder's choice that retired an out at home plate, 1B AJ Kirby-Jones worked a two-out, bases-loaded walk to force home the game's first run, 1-0.

The Cardinals (5-5, 38-40) raced right back in the top of the fourth against RHP Eddie Bonine. Consecutive singles by LF Mike O'Neill and C Cody Stanley put two runners on to start the inning. 3B Ruben Gotay then lined an RBI single to right field, plating O'Neill and moving Stanley to third. 1B Xavier Scruggs chopped a grounder to short that resulted in a double play, but it also enabled Stanley to dart home, lifting Springfield in front, 2-1.

Ferrara and the Cards kept the lead intact until the bottom of the sixth. With one on and two down, SS Jeudy Valdez drove a two-run home run over the left-field wall, swinging the Missions into the 3-2 advantage.

Springfield, though, evened it out in the top of the eighth inning. CF Adam Melker led off with a perfectly placed double inside the third base line, before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt from 2B Vance Albitz. One out later, Stanley ripped a line drive to the right side of the infield that 2B Cory Stangenberg tried to retire with a dive. Stangenberg got his glove on the line drive but lost it mid-dive, and the RBI base hit for Stanley tied the game, 3-3.

San Antonio responded again, however, in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two on and two down, RHP Heath Wyatt (L, 1-1) gave way to LHP Justin Wright to face the pinch hitter INF Chris Bisson. Bisson came through with a two-run triple just inside the right field line, scoring both runners for the two-run Missions advantage.

San Antonio RHP Matt Stites (S, 7) took over for the top of the ninth and logged a perfect frame, closing the 5-3 win for the Missions. LHP Jeff Ibarra (W, 2-0) pitched one relief inning and registered the win.

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

The Cardinals continue the Texas road trip in San Antonio on Sunday at 6:05pm. 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.

The Cards kick off a six-game homestand on Wednesday, July 3 against the Corpus Christi Hooks at 7:09pm.

Springfield then hosts the Hooks on Thursday, July 4 at 5:09pm for the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration. Reserved seats are going very quickly, so get your tickets today at SpringfieldCardinals.com or by calling the Ticket Office at (417) 863-2143.

The Cardinals 4th of July Game and Fireworks Celebration is part of the third annual Fireworks at the Field celebration on Thursday, July 4, presented by CoxHealth. Get your Fireworks at the Field tickets today at Hammons Field or any Springfield Price Cutter location (including the Bistro Market downtown). Please note that all day Fireworks at the Field tickets are not available at SpringfieldCardinals.com.

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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