Scruggs and Cards walk-off with 2-1 win before packed house

Springfield, MO - 1B Xavier Scruggs led off the bottom of the ninth with a towering solo home run, catapulting the Springfield Cardinals to the 2-1 walk-off win against the Corpus Christi Hooks before the jam-packed sell out crowd at Hammons Field on Thursday evening.

After Cardinals RHP Seth Blair and Hooks RHP Ruben Alaniz alternated scoreless frames through the first three innings, Corpus Christi (5-9, 47-37) broke through in the top of the fourth. Blair retired the first two of the frame quickly, but back-to-back singles by CF Drew Muren and 2B Ronald Torreyes extended the inning. C Rene Garcia then placed an RBI single to center field, scoring Muren for the 1-0 lead.

The one run was all that Blair allowed through his six innings of work, striking out seven Hooks along the way. However, Alaniz countered with seven scoreless innings, keeping the Hooks in the narrow advantage through the remainder of his outing.

The Cardinals (7-7, 40-42), though, struck right away against the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth. Facing LHP Patrick Urckfitz, C Audry Perez led off the inning with a game-tying solo home run, squaring the score at 1-1.

After RHP Kevin Thomas logged his second scoreless frame in the top of the ninth, the Cardinals ended it right away in the bottom of the ninth. Scruggs got in front in the count and then crushed a game-winning solo home run over the left-field wall, propelling Springfield to the 2-1 walk-off win.

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

The Cardinals go for the series sweep against Corpus Christi this Friday with a 7:09pm First Pitch. Don't miss the great AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks Show after the game, featuring TV Show Theme Songs. The Cardinals will also be wearing the Team USA Jerseys again on Friday and auctioning them off during the game to benefit The Kitchen.

Then on Saturday, it's the Coca-Cola Texas League Championship Red Cap Giveaway for 2,500 fans, along with a 6:09pm First Pitch against San Antonio. Gates open at 5:09pm.

The Cardinals take on the Missions on Sunday at 6:09pm for a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday, featuring FREE ice cream 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.

The Cards wrap up the homestand on Monday with a 7:09pm First Pitch against the Missions. Gates open at 6:09pm.

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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