Travs hang on, 7-5, to avoid the sweep

North Little Rock, AR - The Arkansas Travelers managed to hang on for the 7-5 win, avoiding the sweep against the Springfield Cardinals before 2,821 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Monday night. The first-place Cardinals finish the eight-game road trip 5-3.

After the Travelers (9-15) jumped in front with four runs against RHP Sam Gaviglio (L, 1-4) in the bottom of the first, the Cardinals (13-11) started chipping away right away in the top of the second inning. Facing LHP Kramer Sneed (W, 3-2), C Cody Stanley extended the second inning with a two-out single. After a walk from 3B Patrick Wisdom, 2B Greg Miclat ripped a two-run double to left field, bringing in both runners to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Arkansas stretched the lead back out with three runs in the third and fourth innings. With runners at second and third in the third, C Jett Bandy brought both in with a two-run single to increase the lead to four runs. 3B Kaleb Cowart then added a two-out RBI single in the fourth, making it 7-2.

The Cardinals battled back with a three-run rally in the top of the fifth. With two down, 1B Jonathan Rodriguez kept the inning going for DH Curt Smith, who promptly launched a two-run home run over the left field wall. CF Rafael Ortega then doubled to right-center, before Stanley brought him in with an RBI single to bring the Cardinals within two runs, 7-5.

However, both bullpens settled in and navigated through the remainder of the game in scoreless fashion. LHP Ryan Sherriff tossed three scoreless innings before LHP Danny Miranda followed with one perfect frame for Springfield. But four Travelers combined to deal the final four innings in scoreless fashion as well, including RHP Cam Bedrosian (S, 1), who closed the 7-5 win for Arkansas.

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

Cardinals return for 8-game homestand starting on Tuesday, April 29

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.

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