Travelers power past Cardinals on Sunday

Springfield, MO - The Arkansas Travelers bounced back after Saturday's loss to take a 9-3 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 3,946 fans on Sunday afternoon.

After Springfield RHP Seth Blair (L, 3-3) and Arkansas LHP Michael Roth (W, 2-3) alternated three scoreless innings apiece, the Travelers (21-21) started the scoring in the top of the fourth. After a jumping grab by CF Rafael Ortega at the wall robbed LF Zach Borenstein of a homer and started the inning with an out, 1B Brian Hernandez and 3B Kaleb Cowart knocked consecutive singles. C Jett Bandy then drove a three-run home run over the left field wall, swinging the Travs in front, 3-0.

The Travelers stretched the advantage with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. CF Kyle Hudson led off with a walk, before racing all the way home on an RBI double by 2B Alex Yarbrough, who was thrown out at third on the play. After a strikeout, Hernandez belted a solo home run to left field, making it 5-0.

The Cardinals (19-24) started chipping away against Roth in the bottom of the fifth. Ortega sparked the offense with a bunt single to the right side of the infield that was fielded by Roth, who errantly threw the ball past first base to allow Ortega to race all the way to third on the play. SS Matt Williams then skied an RBI sacrifice fly to right field, bringing in Ortega to chip it to 5-1.

The Travelers struck again in the top of the seventh to increase the advantage. With one on and one down, Blair gave way to LHP Anthony Ferrara on the mound. Facing Ferrara, Yarbrough lined a two-run homer over the left field fence, padding the lead to six runs. LF Zach Borenstein followed with a solo home run off the left field foul pole, increasing it to 8-1.

After a solo shot by Arkansas RF Andy Workman in the top of the eighth, the Cardinals plated a pair in the bottom of the inning. With two down, 1B Curt Smith and RF David Popkins ripped back-to-back singles to extend the frame for 3B Patrick Wisdom. Wisdom promptly drove a two-run double to right-center field, bringing in both runners to bring the Cardinals within six runs, 9-3.

However, RHP Daniel Reynolds rebounded with a scoreless ninth inning, closing the 9-3 win for the Travelers.

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

Cards and Travs wrap up series on Monday night

The series wraps up on Monday with a 7:10pm First Pitch against the Travelers. Gates open at 6:10pm - don't miss your last chance to catch the Cardinals at Hammons Field before Tuesday, May 27!

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