May 20, 2013
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Cards Fall to Naturals 8-2

May 11, 2012 - Texas League (TL) Springfield Cardinals

Springdale, AR - A night after being no-hit for the first time in franchise history, the Cardinals were poised to snap their nine-game road losing streak Friday night.

The Cardinals sent right hander Michael Blazek to the mound fresh off his first win of the season against Jake Odorizzi of the Naturals.

Springfield was able to get in the hit column early in the first inning with single from Jermaine Curtis and Oscar Taveras, but stranded both on base.

The Naturals were able to plate a run in the first without even getting a hit. Christian Colon worked a one out walk, stole second, moved to third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch to give NW Arkansas a 1-0 lead.

Blazek would last just three innings in his start after throwing 74 pitches, but he allowed just the one run on two hits and issued three walks. Scott Schneider came in out of the bullpen and promptly allowed a run in the 4th as Sharlon Schoop doubled, moved to third on a fly out and scored on a Rey Navarro RBI ground out to make it a 2-0 lead.

Jake Odorizzi was cruising into the 5th retiring 13 straight batters before issuing a two out walk to Greg Garcia. Jose Garcia and Kolten Wong collected back to back singles to plate Greg Garcia to cut the deficit in half, 2-1.

NW Arkansas would get that run back and then some in the bottom of the 5th with two outs as Christian Colon singled, Wil Myers walked and Johnny Whittleman hit a three run homer to right to grab a 5-1 lead. Frustration boiled over for manager Mike Shildt as he was ejected by home plate umpire Greg Stanzak over the inconsistency with the strike zone.

The Cardinals got one back in the 6th as Oscar Taveras led off with a triple and scored on an RBI ground out by Chris Swauger to get within three, 5-2.

After tossing a scoreless 6th inning Justin Wright allowed two singles and walked the next two batters to force in a run to begin the 7th. Jorge Rondon came in and allowed a run on a fielder's choice ground out and threw a wild pitch scoring another giving the Naturals an 8-2 advantage.

The game would end with that final score and the Springfield Cardinals suffered their 10th straight road loss.

The Redbirds will continue their four-game set against the NW Arkansas Naturals Saturday night at 7:00pm. Tyler Lyons will start for Springfield against Noel Arguelles of the Naturals.

Springfield will return home May 18th for a quick four game series against the Tulsa Drillers. Every Friday is a Fireworks Night thanks to AM Pyrotechnics. Also the Missouri Lottery will be giving away $2,000 worth of lottery tickets during their Baseball Bingo promotion . Great tickets are still available, so visit the Hammons Field Ticket Office, go online at springfieldcardinals.com or by call (417) 863-2143.

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Texas League Stories from May 11, 2012


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