Travs avoid sweep with win in series finale

Springfield, MO - The Arkansas Travelers escaped being swept with an 11-3 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 3,600 fans at Hammons Field on Sunday evening. Arkansas LF Zach Borenstein led the Travs offense by hitting for the cycle, becoming only the second player to do so against the Cardinals in team history. Springfield has won five of their last six games, as well as three consecutive series.

After Springfield RHP Kurt Heyer and Arkansas RHP Mark Sappington alternated three scoreless frames apiece, the Travelers (7-9) cracked the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning. With one down, RF Drew Heid drove a solo home run to left-center field, lifting the Travelers to the 1-0 lead.

However, the Cardinals (8-8) responded right away with a home run of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sappington got the inning's first out, but 1B Curt Smith swatted a solo home run to left field, squaring the score at 1-1.

After a scoreless fifth, Springfield swung in front against RHP Ryan Chaffee (W, 2-0). Smith struck again with a one-out single to get to first base. CF Rafael Ortega followed with a free pass, before Chaffee retired the second out of the frame with a strikeout. 2B Luis Mateo, though, came through with a two-out, two-run single to left-center field, bringing in both runners for the 3-1 lead.

The Travelers refused to stay down for long, reclaiming the advantage against LHP Anthony Ferrara (L, 0-1) in the top of the seventh. A solo homer by CF Adam Melker, the former Springfield Cardinal in his Arkansas debut, started the inning, before a two-run shot from Borenstein later in the frame lifted the Travs in front, 4-3.

Arkansas then added insurance runs with four tallies in the eighth and three in the ninth, accounting for the eventual final score of 11-3.

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

Cardinals hit the road, back for 8-game homestand on Tuesday, April 29

The Cardinals embark on an eight-game road trip, starting on Monday at 7:05pm. 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.

The Cardinals return home to start an eight-game homestand on Tuesday, April 29 with a Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day at 7:10pm. The homestand will feature three educational days (4/30, 5/5, 5/6), the 2013 St. Louis Cardinals National League Championship Replica Ring Giveaway (2,500) and a "Buck a Brat" Night on Thursday, May 1, AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks featuring Music from the 90s on Friday, May 2, the Price Cutter and Bar-S Foods 10th Season T-Shirt Giveaway (2,500) on Saturday, May 3 and much, much more. Click below to view the complete schedule.

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.

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