TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Cardinals and Naturals Split Doubleheader to Close Trip

Published on June 15, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Springdale, AR - The Springfield Cardinals and Northwest Arkansas Naturals split the doubleheader on Saturday, played before 4,733 fans at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas. The Cardinals cruised to the 8-2 victory in the first seven-inning game, but the Naturals responded with a 6-1 win in Game 2. The second game included a rain delay of an hour and 13 minutes in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Game 1

The Cardinals (33-34) started the first game in a powerful way against RHP Andy Ferguson (L, 101), swatting two home runs in the top of the first inning. After LF Mike O'Neill worked a walk to start the game, CF James Ramsey pulled a two-run shot over the right field wall to start the scoring. One out later, DH Chris Swauger launched a solo home run to straightaway center, increasing the early lead to 3-0.

LHP Nick Greenwood (W, 2-4) kept the Cardinals lead intact by retiring the first 11 batters that he faced, and not allowing a base hit until two-thirds of the way through the fifth.

After 1B Xavier Scruggs belted a two-run bomb in the sixth, the Cardinals stretched the lead even further with three more runs in the top of the seventh against LHP Noel Arguelles. With 2B Vance Albitz at second base and one away, O'Neill lined an RBI double to center field. One out later, 3B Ruben Gotay and Swauger struck for consecutive two-out RBI singles, padding the lead to 8-0.

Back on the mound to finish what he started, Greenwood did surrender two late runs in the bottom of the seventh. However, he navigated through the rest of the frame unscathed, closing the 8-2 win for the Cardinals with a complete game performance in Game 1.

Game 2

After Springfield RHP Corey Baker (L, 0-1) and Northwest Arkansas RHP Edwin Carl alternated scoreless innings through the first two, the Naturals (23-45) cracked the tie in the bottom of the third. Leading off the inning, C Manny Pina drove a solo home run over the left field wall, swinging Northwest Arkansas to the 1-0 lead.

A solo homer by 1B Matt Fields in the bottom of the fourth doubled the lead, before the Cardinals (33-35) got on the board in the top of the fifth against LHP Scott Alexander (W, 1-0). With SS Luis Mateo at first base and one down, C Audry Perez drove a smacked a double off the right field wall, putting runners at second and third. LF Mike O'Neill then placed an RBI grounder to second base, enabling Mateo to dart home and cutting the deficit to just 2-1.

The Naturals responded in the bottom of the fifth. 1B Mitch Canham started the inning with a double, and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Pina. After an intentional walk to RF Roman Hernandez, RHP Heath Wyatt took over on the mound. With the rain coming down, Wyatt attempted a pick off throw to first, but fired wide and allowed Canham to score from third, stretching the Naturals lead to 3-1. After Wyatt hit 2B Whit Merrifield with the next pitch, the umpires called for the tarp and sent the game into the rain delay.

LHP Justin Wright took over on the mound after the delay, and the Naturals added an unearned run on a missed catch by C Audry Perez at the plate. Northwest Arkansas added two more unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth, before LHP Zach Jackson (S, 5) tossed a scoreless top of the seventh to close the 6-1 win in the second game for the Naturals.

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Texas League Stories from June 15, 2013


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