The Springfield Cardinals dropped their sixth consecutive game, falling to the first-place Northwest Arkansas Naturals by a score of 12-3, on Saturday night at Hammons Field.
The Naturals scored twice in the eighth, then picked up seven runs in the ninth, breaking open a close game. Northwest Arkansas took advantage of four walks by reliever Eddie Degerman, sacking the reliever with all seven runs. Infielder Mike Folli came on to earn the final two outs of the inning.
Both clubs scored a first-inning run, as Vance Wilson's fifth homer of the year put the Naturals up 1-0, while Donovan Solano's RBI double plated Jim Rapoport in the bottom of the inning, tying the game at 1-1.
Cards' starter Ryan Kulik got touched for a pair of runs in the third, as Corey Smith's two-run double broke the tie, putting the Naturals in front 3-1.
Steven Hill's team-leading 15th homer of the year, a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh inning, made it a one-run game at 3-2. Naturals' starter Matt Kniginyzky (4-7), who allowed just two runs on three hits, finished up the bottom of the seventh and turned it over to Gilbert de la Vara.
The Naturals got two in the eighth, as Corey Smith went deep to left off of Sam Freeman, opening it up at 5-2.
The lop-sided ninth inning left Springfield trailing 12-2, heading into the last of the ninth. Steven Hill's RBI groundout plated David Freese, as the Cards capped the scoring at 12-3 off of de la Vara, who earned his second save with two innings of work.
Freese finished the game with two hits in four at-bats, in his Springfield debut.
Troy Glaus went 0-for-3 in his second rehab appearance and is now 2-for-8 in two games.
Kulik (4-7) took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings.
The Cards (13-15, 51-47) and Naturals will resume their series on Sunday evening, with the third game of the four-game set. Sunday is a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids will Run the Bases after the game, thanks to the Killian Group of Companies. Game time is 6:10pm and gates open at 5:10pm.
Don't forget that the Cardinals are home through Monday night, as Troy Glaus continues his rehab assignment at Hammons Field. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com.
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