Shew brings red hot Cardinals within game of series sweep

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Another quality home start from Anthony Shew meant a winning streak for the Cardinals.

Springfield's righty starter tossed seven full innings of one-run baseball Tuesday night, putting Andrew Knizner in position to drive home the game-winning run in the eighth inning of a 3-2 Cardinals win over the Naturals.

Springfield is a win away from its first sweep since taking three of three in San Antonio from May 25-27 and its first home sweep since a rain-shortened three-game sweep of Northwest Arkansas between April 23-26.

The Cardinals don't yet have a four-game sweep of an opponent this season.

A SHEW THING

Shew has now allowed three runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts and eight of his last 10 after giving up a single run and striking out seven over his seven innings tonight.

The Naturals scattered just five hits off the Cardinals starter, scoring that run courtesy of Erick Mejia's RBI double in the third.

Shew's two walks were his first in a start since walking three on June 30 in Frisco. He'd gone 17.0 innings without issuing a walk.

BACK FROM THE FUTURE

Making his first start since returning from the MLB All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Knizner drove home the game-winner on a ball into left that was ruled an error.

Evan Mendoza crossed on that error, cementing the 3-2 final.

Will Latcham locked things down in the ninth with his second save of the season.

Earlier, a fifth-inning Blake Drake sacrifice fly brought Knizner home and drew the Cardinals even at 1-1.

Tommy Edman gave Springfield its first lead when Blake Drake churned home all the way from first on Edman's second double of the game.

The Naturals briefly tied things 2-2 when Elier Hernandez singled home Jecksson Flores off Elniery García, who was credited with the win.

UP NEXT

The Cardinals and Naturals close their four-game series Wednesday night with first pitch set for 6:30pm.

Woof Wednesday returns this Wednesday. All baseball-loving puppers are invited to sit back, relax and watch the game they love with their best friend for this and every Wednesday home game the rest of the season. One owner ticket=free entry for your Very Good Boy/Girl!

Future Woof Wednesdays:

- July 18, 6:30pm vs. Northwest Arkansas
- August 1, 6:30 pm vs. Tulsa
- August 15, 6:30 pm vs. San Antonio
- August 29, 6:30 pm vs. Arkansas

The Cardinals will provide kiddie pools for your dogs to drink out of throughout the ballpark. Dogs are encouraged to enjoy the game from the outfield grass/General Admission areas due to most dogs not being good at the intricacies of human bathrooms. Dogs are permitted in the seating bowl if that is where your tickets are located, however, if a fan in your section complains then the ushers will ask you to move to another seating area or General Admission. For more information, call the Front Office at 417-863-0395.