Travs take road finale from Cardinals, 4-1

North Little Rock, AR - The Arkansas Travelers struck for three late unearned runs to take the 4-1 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 5,136 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Friday night.

The Travelers (37-30, 70-66) cracked the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning against LHP Jonathan Cornelius. 2B Taylor Lindsey and LF Cyle Hankerd started the frame with back-to-back singles. With runners at the corners, 1B CJ Cron skied an RBI sacrifice fly to right-center field, scoring Lindsey from third base for the 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals (31-36, 64-71) came right back and evened it up in the top of the fifth against RHP Lay Batista (L, 5-8). LF Starlin Rodriguez was hit by a pitch to open the inning, before 3B Jake Lemmerman worked a walk to join him on the bases. A sacrifice bunt by 2B Matt Williams advanced both runners, before CF Adam Melker placed an RBI groundout to first base, scoring Rodriguez from third for the 1-1 tie.

Arkansas opportunistically moved back in front with two unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. RHP Zach Russell (L, 0-1) retired the frame's first two outs quickly, before issuing a pair of walks to extend the inning. Cron then chopped a grounder back to the mound that Russell fielded and threw a bit high to first base. 1B Xavier Scruggs got his glove on it but couldn't quite keep control of the ball, enabling Lindsey to score on the missed catch error and the inning to continue. Facing LHP Danny Miranda, DH Robbie Widlansky lined an RBI single down the right field side, bringing in Hankerd for the 3-1 advantage.

The Travelers added another unearned run in the eighth inning, before RHP David Carpenter (S, 5) tossed a scoreless ninth to close the 4-1 win for Arkansas.

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

Springfield returns home for the final home series of the 2013 Regular Season, starting on Saturday, August 31. That night will feature the Mercy Knit Scarf Giveaway (2,500), along with AM Pyrotechnics End of Season Fireworks. The Cardinals will also be wearing Teal Pinstripe Specialty Jerseys that will be auctioned off to benefit GYNCA. First Pitch is 6:09pm, gates open at 5:09pm.

The Cardinals then take on the Tulsa Drillers again on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6:09pm for the Purina Bark in the Park, when all fans can bring their dogs to the game. The night will feature a pregame pet parade, with all fans that bring pets invited to march around the field. To participate in the parade, please arrive at the ballpark by 5:30pm.

The Sunday, Sept. 1 game will also feature the Purina Pet Food Bowl Mat Giveaway for 2,500 fans. Sunday's game will be a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with free ice cream for kids before the game, and then all kids can run the bases after the game. Gates open at 5:09pm.

The Cardinals then wrap up the 2013 Regular Season on Monday, Sept. 2 with a 12:09pm First Pitch. The Labor Day ballgame is Fan Appreciation Day, with all fans in attendance receiving a free ticket voucher for a 2014 game.

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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