Travelers edge Cardinals, 3-1, to split series

North Little Rock, AR - The Arkansas Travelers avoided the series loss with a 3-1 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 6,076 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Friday night.

After Springfield LHP Jonathan Cornelius and Arkansas LHP Kramer Sneed alternated a pair of scoreless frames, the Travelers (29-30) cracked the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third. Cornelius retired the frame's first batter, but then 2B Alex Yarbrough and 1B Brian Hernandez knocked consecutive doubles, swinging the Travs in front, 1-0.

The Cardinals (28-32) answered right away in the top of the fourth. With one down, 1B Curt Smith belted a ground-rule double to right-center to get into scoring position. One out later, DH Jonathan Rodriguez scorched an RBI single through the left side, scoring Smith to make it 1-1.

Cornelius kept the tie intact throughout the remainder of his six-inning outing, dealing three scoreless frames to close his quality start. However, Arkansas moved back in front against RHP Seth Blair (L, 3-5) in the bottom of the seventh. CF Kyle Hudson led off with a walk, before stealing his way to second base. After a fly out, Hernandez brought Hudson in with an RBI single for the 2-1 advantage.

The Travelers added one run of insurance in the bottom of the eighth. RHP Ronnie Shaban started the stanza with a strikeout, but SS Eric Stamets and DH Maikol Gonzalez followed with consecutive singles. Hudson then drove an RBI single to center field, bringing in Stamets to make it 3-1.

RHP David Carpenter took over for the Travs in the bottom of the ninth and worked around a base hit by RF David Popkins, posting a scoreless final frame and closing the 3-1 win for Arkansas. RHP Kurt Spomer (W, 1-0) logged a pair of scoreless relief innings to register the win.

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

Guarantee Individual Promo Items with the brand-new Promo Seats

With the upcoming homestand from Saturday, June 7 - Saturday, June 14 full of must-have Promotional Items, now is the time to get your Promo Seats and guarantee individual Promo Items!

The brand-new Promo Seats Package includes one Diamond Box Ticket for a game featuring a Promotional Item and guarantees that you receive one of that night's Promotional Items, plus a portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative to provide tickets for area youth and non-profit organizations.

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Cardinals kick off an eight-game homestand on Saturday, June 7

Springfield returns home on Saturday, June 7 to start a brand-new eight-game homestand. The game on June 7 will feature the Vision Clinic Matt Carpenter Bobblehead Giveaway for 2,500 fans. First Pitch is at 6:10pm, with gates opening at 5:10pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a The Cup Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.

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