Travs cling to 6-5 win on Thursday night

North Little Rock, AR - The Springfield Cardinals raced back within one run with two tallies in the eighth, but the Arkansas Travelers hung on for the 6-5 win before 2,651 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Thursday night.

After both Cardinals LHP Austin Warner (L, 0-3) and Travelers RHP Johendí Jiminian alternated scoreless work through the first three innings, the Cardinals (5-15, 38-52) seized the lead in the fourth. With one on and two away, C Jeremy Martinez launched a two-run blast to left field, lifting the Cardinals into the 2-0 lead.

Springfield added a third run in the top of the fifth. With LF Blake Drake at second and two away, 3B Evan Mendoza laced an RBI single to left-center, plating Drake to make it 3-0.

The Travelers (11-7, 46-42), though, rallied back with four runs in the bottom of the fifth. With two on and two away, SS Chris Mariscal guided a check-swing RBI single up the middle, bringing in CF Beau Amaral from second base to get the Travs on the board. After a hit batter loaded the bases, 1B Joey Curletta skied a fly ball down the right field line. RF Johan Mieses attempted a running catch on the line, but the ball skipped off of his glove and was ruled a fair ball, with all three runners scoring on the play for a go-ahead three-run single to make it 4-3.

The Travs added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh to make it 6-3, before the Cardinals raced back into it in the top of the eighth. With Drake at first and two down, 2B Ramón Urías pulled an RBI double inside the left field line, extending his hitting streak to 11 games and scoring Drake all the way from first. Mendoza then brought in Urias with his third single and second RBI of the night, bringing the Cardinals within one run, 6-5.

After allowing a ninth-inning homer to CF Lane Thomas on Wednesday, Arkansas RHP Matt Festa (S, 13) took over for the ninth on Thursday. This time, however, he dealt a 1-2-3 final frame, closing the 6-5 win for the Travelers.
Carlos Martínez Bobbleheads this Sunday, July 15 kick off homestand
The Cardinals continue the road trip in Arkansas on Friday at 7:10pm. 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 returns home for a four-game series at Hammons Field against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Sunday, July 15 - Wednesday, July 18, featuring:

-Sunday, July 15, 6:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals Carlos Martinez Mystery Hair Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Monday, July 16, 6:30pm - Monday Night Baseball vs. Northwest Arkansas. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Tuesday, July 17, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, July 18, 6:30pm - Purina Woof Wednesday with dogs welcome at the ballpark. Gates open at 5:30pm.

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.
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