TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Cardinals Beat Naturals 5-2

Published on June 15, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Springfield, MO - The Springfield Cardinals defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 5-2 thanks to timely hitting and great relief pitching amidst a highly touted pitching debut.

The St. Louis Cardinals' number two prospect, Carlos Martinez, made his Double-A debut tonight for Springfield. Martinez, fresh of the disabled list, hadn't pitched in a ballgame in over a month. Held to a strict pitch count, Martinez lasted three innings giving up one unearned run on three hits. He also struck out three batters.

Northwest Arkansas countered with recently named Texas League All-Star Justin Marks. He pitched five and two-thirds innings giving up three runs. Marks did however strikeout seven Cardinals batters.

Springfield took the first lead in the ballgame during the bottom of the second inning on a pair of RBI singles from Greg Garcia and Kolten Wong.

The Naturals' scored an unearned run off Martinez in third inning. With runners on first and second base, Xavier Scruggs committed an error as he tried to throw a force out at second base. Instead, the ball went into left field and Nick Van Stratten scored.

In the fourth inning, Scruggs atoned for his error has he hit a long home run to left field giving the Cardinals a 3-1 lead.

Springfield reliever Kevin Thomas came into the game following Martinez and provided three shutout innings retiring every batter he faced.

Northwest Arkansas scored their second unearned run of the ballgame in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly to center field. The run was unearned due to a wild pitch and passed ball in the inning with Deryk Hooker in relief.

Scruggs continued his great hitting with a two-run single in the bottom of eighth inning providing some insurance runs for the Cardinals.

One of the Cardinals' Texas League All-Stars, closer Keith Butler, pitched the ninth inning collecting his 14th save and securing the victory for Springfield.

Springfield will continue their four-game series with the NW Arkansas Naturals tomorrow night at 6:08pm. The Cardinals will send Scott Gorgen to the mound against Elisaul Pimentel of the Naturals.

Saturday the Cardinals will host Military Appreciation Night presented by Mid-Missouri Credit Union and Fort Leonard Wood. A special fireworks show will follow the game! Great tickets are still available, so visit the Hammons Field Ticket Office, go online at springfieldcardinals.com or call (417) 863-2143.

Six Springfield Cardinals were named Texas League All-Stars yesterday! They are pitchers Trevor Rosenthal and Keith Butler, infielders Kolten Wong and Jermaine Curtis, outfielder Oscar Taveras, and catcher Audry Perez. The 2012 Texas League All-Star game will be played on June 28th at Tulsa's ONEOK Field.

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Texas League Stories from June 15, 2012


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