The Springfield Cardinals dropped their seventh straight game on Sunday night, losing to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals by a score of 16-4 at Hammons Field.
Jeff Bianchi and David Lough combined for eight hits and eight RBIs, while the Naturals scored ten runs over the final two innings to break the game open.
A seven-run eighth against Tyler Norrick and Fernando Salas, followed by a three-run ninth against Springfield closer Francisco Samuel opened up what was a two-run game after seven innings.
Northwest Arkansas took the early lead against Cards' starter Scott Gorgen. Bianchi's third homer of the year, a solo shot, put the Naturals up 1-0 in the first. An RBI single by Ed Lucas made it 2-0 after just a half-inning.
The Naturals scored four in the second, capitalizing on a pair of mistakes in the field to take a 6-0 advantage.
Springfield finally got to Naturals' starter Rowdy Hardy in the fifth. David Freese put Springfield on the board with an RBI single, then scored on Steven Hill's long home run to left field, making it 6-3. Hill has now homered in three straight games and has a team-leading 16 on the year.
Hardy left after six frames, turning it over to Jason Godin, who walked the first four men he faced to open the seventh inning. After Andrew Brown walked to force home a run and make it 6-4, the Naturals brought Juan Abreau into the game. Abreau struck out all three batters he faced to keep the Northwest Arkansas lead at two.
The Naturals got seven runs in the eighth to take a commanding 13-4 lead, then added three more in the ninth to round out the scoring at 16-4.
Hardy (2-1) allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings, picking up his second straight win.
Gorgen (1-3) was hit with the loss, as he allowed six runs, three earned over five innings.
After two consecutive days in the lineup, rehabbing St. Louis Cardinal Troy Glaus was given the day off. Glaus is expected to be in the lineup on Monday for the series-finale.
The Cards (13-16, 51-48) will look to end their seven-game skid on Monday, sending Lance Lynn (9-3) to the mound against Naturals' right-hander Anthony Lerew (5-5) in the final game of the home stand. First pitch from Hammons Field will be at 7:10pm and gates open at 6:10pm.
Don't forget that on Monday, fans at Hammons Field will be attempting to break the World Record for the most people wearing red clown noses. While it sounds a little silly, it's all for a great cause, as we'll be raising money and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The Shriners of Southwest Missouri will also be a big part of the event, as they're sponsoring the Clown Noses to pass out to fans as they enter the gates.
Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com. We hope to see you at Hammons Field...Escape to Cardinals Baseball!
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