Naturals walk off in 9th for 5-4 win

Springdale, AR - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals completed the comeback win with a bottom of the ninth walk-off, taking the 5-4 final against the Springfield Cardinals before 2,826 fans at Arvest Ballpark on Sunday afternoon. 

Both Springfield LHP Génesis Cabrera, making his Cardinals (18-26, 51-63) debut, and Naturals LHP Luis Lugo alternated scoreless and hitless innings until the Cardinals broke through in the top of the fourth. DH Tommy Edman led off the inning with a sharp single to center, extending his hitting streak to 17 games. SS Ramón Urías then brought home Edman all the way from first with a booming RBI double to left-center field, lifting the Cardinals ahead, 1-0.

The Naturals (18-25, 53-60) tied it in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out RBI single from RF Kort Peterson, but Springfield swung right back in front in the top of the fifth. Leading off the inning, CF Blake Drake crushed a solo home run 420 feet to left field, his fifth long-ball of the year. Two outs later, Urias was hit by a pitch to extend the inning. 3B Evan Mendoza followed with a single, before 1B John Nogowski worked a walk to load the bases. 2B Andy Young came through with a two-out, two-run single to right field, bringing home Urias and Mendoza to open the Cardinals lead to 4-1.

The Naturals shaved the deficit in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out solo home run from 3B Kelvin Gutierrez, slicing the Cardinals lead to 4-2.

Northwest Arkansas completed the comeback against the bullpen in the seventh. RHP Ramon Santos retired the inning's first batter, but LF Anderson Miller reached with a double to right-center field. After a single and a walk loaded the bases, CF Erick Mejia lined an RBI single to left-center, bringing in Miller and keeping the bases full. Santos gave way to RHP Derian Gonzalez, who struck out SS Jecksson Flores for the second out. 1B Samir Dueñez, though, placed an RBI infield single precisely inside the first base line, moving everyone up ninety feet and scoring Fernandez from third for the 4-4 tie.

The Naturals put together one last charge in the bottom of the ninth against RHP Hector Mendoza (L, 2-2). With one away, CF Erick Mejia worked a walk, before moving to second base on a balk. One out later, the Cardinals intentionally walked Duenez, bringing up Gutierrez. Gutierrez delivered with an RBI single to right-center, bringing home Mejia for the final run in the 5-4 walk-off win for Northwest Arkansas.
Bob Gibson Career Highlights Bobbleheads, Snoopy Bobbleheads and more August 14 - 19
The Cardinals continue the trip in San Antonio on Tuesday at 7:05pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyotes Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

Springfield then returns home for a fun-filled homestand from Tuesday, August 14 - Sunday, August 19, featuring:

-Tuesday, August 14, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield School Supply Drive. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, August 15, 6:30pm - Purina Woof Wednesday with dogs welcome at the game. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Thursday, August 16, 7:10pm - Henry's Towing Baseball Card Set Giveaway (2,000) and Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, August 17, 7:10pm - Fans-On-Field Fireworks and Wedding Dance Party. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, August 18, 6:10pm - Maria's Mexican Restaurant Bob Gibson Career Highlights Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000) and Specialty Jersey Auction to benefit Springfield Sports Commission. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, August 19, 6:10pm - Peanuts & St. Louis Cardinals Snoopy Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.
Click here to order your tickets and view the full 2018 Promotional Schedule.