Travelers chart 6-4 win against Cards

North Little Rock, AR - The Arkansas Travelers took the Thursday night contest, 6-4, against the Springfield Cardinals at Dickey-Stephens Park.

The Cardinals (31-35, 64-70) swung in front right out of the gates, plating a pair against RHP Mark Sappington. After CF James Ramsey walked and LF Adam Melker doubled to start the inning, Sappington dug in and dealt back-to-back strikeouts. RF Stephen Piscotty, however, belted a two-run double to left-center field, opening the early 2-0 lead for the Cardinals.

Springfield stretched the lead in the top of the second inning. With one away, singles by SS Luis Mateo and 2B Matt Williams, along with a Ramsey free pass, loaded the bases. One out later, 3B Ruben Gotay placed an RBI single to the left side of the infield that scored Mateo from third, making it 3-0.

After Arkansas (36-30, 69-66) got on the board with an RBI groundout from CF Travis Witherspoon against LHP Anthony Ferrara (L, 7-6) in the bottom of the second, the Cardinals countered with one of their own in the top of the third. 1B Xavier Scruggs and Piscotty knocked consecutive singles to start the third, before Sappington retired the next two batters. Mateo, though, grounded an RBI single through the right side of the infield, bringing in Scruggs to stretch the lead back to three runs, 4-1.

Ferrara kept the advantage intact through the bottom of the third and fourth frames, before the Travelers got the bats going in the bottom of the fifth. Witherspoon and C Carlos Ramirez started the fifth with back-to-back walks, putting two runners on. After a fly out moved Witherspoon to third, 2B Taylor Lindsey brought him home with an RBI single. One out later, 1B CJ Cron drove a three-run homer over the left field fence, lifting the Travelers into the 5-4 lead.

An RBI groundout by Ramirez in the bottom of the sixth added an insurance run for Arkansas, before the their bullpen upheld the advantage throughout the final three frames, closing the 6-4 win for Arkansas. RHP Matt Oye (W, 7-8) registered the win with a pair of scoreless relief innings, while RHP Mike Morin (S, 9) logged the save for the Travs.

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

The Cardinals conclude the road trip in Arkansas on Friday at 7:10pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

Springfield returns home for the final home series of the 2013 Regular Season, starting on Saturday, August 31. That night will feature the Mercy Knit Scarf Giveaway (2,500), along with AM Pyrotechnics End of Season Fireworks. The Cardinals will also be wearing Teal Pinstripe Specialty Jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit GYNCA. First Pitch is 6:09pm, gates open at 5:09pm.

The Cardinals then take on the Tulsa Drillers again on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6:09pm for the Purina Bark in the Park, when all fans can bring their dogs to the game. The night will feature a pregame pet parade, with all fans that bring pets invited to march around the field. To participate in the parade, please arrive at the ballpark by 5:30pm.

The Sunday, Sept. 1 game will also feature the Purina Pet Food Bowl Mat Giveaway for 2,500 fans. Sunday's game will be a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with free ice cream for kids before the game, and then all kids can run the bases after the game. Gates open at 5:09pm.

The Cardinals then wrap up the 2013 Regular Season on Monday, Sept. 2 with a 12:09pm First Pitch. The Labor Day ballgame is Fan Appreciation Day, with all fans in attendance receiving a free ticket voucher for a 2014 game.

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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