Travelers escape with 3-2 win on Friday

June 21, 2014

North Little Rock, AR - The Springfield Cardinals got two men in scoring position in the ninth, but the Arkansas Travelers escaped with the 3-2 win before 6,139 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Friday night.

The Cardinals (2-2, 36-38) struck first with one run against LHP Nate Smith (W, 3-1) in the top of the third. 2B Matt Williams started the stanza with a free pass, before Smith battled back with a strikeout. LF Mike O'Neill got on with a single, followed by a free pass from 3B Patrick Wisdom to load the bases for All-Star CF James Ramsey. Ramsey came through with an RBI sacrifice fly to left field, plating Williams for the 1-0 lead.

Making his Double-A debut, RHP Mike Mayers (L, 0-1), a 2013 3rd-round pick, kept the Cardinals one-run advantage intact through his first four frames, racking up four strikeouts.

However, the Travelers (2-2, 36-38) broke through with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. SS Eric Stamets tied it right away in the fifth with a leadoff solo home run. CF Kyle Hudson and LF Maikol Gonzalez followed with singles, before 2B Alex Yarbrough skied an RBI sacrifice fly to center for the go-ahead run. 1B Brian Hernandez then drove an RBI single to center field, bringing in Gonzalez from second base for the 3-1 lead.

The Cardinals battled it back to just a one-run deficit against LHP Buddy Boshers in the top of the sixth. Base hits from RF David Popkins and SS Luis Mateo started the inning, before a walk from Williams loaded the bases with no outs. After a strikeout, O'Neill placed an RBI grounder inside the first base line, bringing in Popkins from third. Boshers, though, got out of the rest of the inning unscathed with the Travelers in the 3-2 lead.

RHP Seth Blair kept the Cardinals close with two perfect relief innings, before Springfield attempted one last comeback in the top of the ninth. Facing RHP Daniel Reynolds (S, 1), CF Starlin Rodriguez worked a one-out walk, followed by a single from All-Star 1B Jonathan Rodriguez. A wild pitch advanced both runners ninety feet further, but Reynolds got out of trouble with a strikeout and the Travelers escaped with a 3-2 win.

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

Guarantee Individual Promo Items with the brand-new Promo Seats

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.

By purchasing the Promo Seats, fans will have an item reserved for them regardless of where they are in line or what time they arrive at the game. And, for the first time, out-of-town fans that order a Promo Seat Package can choose to have their Promotional Item mailed to them for an additional shipping and handling charge of $10 per item. Both out of town fans and those unable to make the game may donate their game ticket to the Hamels Foundation Cardinals Youth Initiative.

Promo Seat Packages are just $28 each and there are only 61 available for each game. Call the Ticket Office at (417) 863-2143 right now to order yours!

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Cards kick off a six-game homestand on Wednesday, June 25

The Cardinals continue the road trip on Saturday against the Arkansas Travelers 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 a six-game homestand from Wednesday, June 25 - Monday, June 30. The homestand will feature -

-St. Louis Cardinals 1964 World Championship Replica Ring Giveaway (2,500) and $1 bratwursts on Thursday, June 26 at 7:10pm.

-AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Music from the Jacksons on Friday, June 27 at 7:10pm.

-CoxHealth Fireworks at the Field Celebration on Saturday, June 28 at 5:10pm.

-Cline Dental Joe Kelly "Standoff" Champion Bobblehead Giveaway (2,500), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and The Track Family Fun Parks Kids Race the Bases on Sunday, June 29 at 6:10pm.

-AM Pyrotechnics Bonus Fireworks featuring Fan's Vote Music and a Specialty Cap Auction to benefit Horses of Hope on Monday, June 30 at 7:10pm.

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.

Click here for the complete 2014 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

Cards kick off a six-game homestand on Wednesday, June 25

Click here for the complete 2014 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

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