Travs hang on for 5-3 win against Cards

North Little Rock, AR - The Arkansas Travelers took the 5-3 win against the Springfield Cardinals in the series opener before 3,336 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Thursday night.

The Cardinals (19-22, 52-57) got out to a quick start, striking for two runs in the top of the first inning against LHP Michael Roth. SS Luis Mateo led off with a walk, and promptly ran his way around to third with two stolen bases. Two outs later, 1B Xavier Scruggs placed an RBI single through the right side of the infield, plating Mateo for the game's first run. RF Stephen Piscotty followed with a two-out, RBI double down the right field side, scoring Scruggs from first base for the 2-0 lead.

However, Arkansas (24-17, 57-53) responded with a five-run frame in the bottom of the second against RHP Zach Petrick (L, 2-1). With runners at the corners and one away, SS Jimmy Swift dealt the first blow with an RBI single to get the Travs on the board. CF Randal Grichuk then loaded the bases with a single, before 2B Taylor Lindsey drove a grand slam over the right field wall, swinging Arkansas into the 5-2 lead.

After a scoreless relief inning by RHP Caleb Graham (W, 5-1) in the fifth, the Cardinals chipped the deficit down in the top of the sixth against RHP Matt Oye. Leading off the inning, 3B Ruben Gotay launched a solo home run over the right field fence, slicing the Arkansas lead to 5-3.

RHP Heath Wyatt kept the Cardinals close with 3.2 scoreless and hitless relief innings, before RHP Kevin Thomas dealt a scoreless eighth to keep Springfield within only one. However, RHP Mike Morin (S, 3) dealt 1.1 scoreless innings, closing the 5-3 win for the Travs.

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

The Cardinals continue the seven-game trip on Friday with a 7:10pm First Pitch in Arkansas. 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 to kick off a six-game homestand on Tuesday, August 6, taking on the Frisco RoughRiders at 7:09pm. That Tuesday will feature the Sysco Foods Team Baseball Card Set Giveaway for 4,000 fans, and will also be a Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 6:09pm. To view all of the great upcoming promotions at Hammons Field, click below.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Cake Pop Company 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 Cardinals full 2013 Promotional Schedule and to get your tickets right now.

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