TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Cardinals Beat Travelers 6-1

Published on July 27, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Springfield, MO - If there is such a thing as Hammons Field magic, left handed starter John Gast has it.

Gast turned in one of the most dominant starts of the season for the Cardinals, giving up only one run through eight innings, to make it two gems thrown in a row at home.

Ryan Jackson turned in a three-hit night, driving home three runs in the process, and Springfield won their second in a row over Arkansas, 6-1.

Gast (1-1, 5.10 ERA) came into the game looking to build on his fantastic Hammons Field debut, in which he pitched seven innings of shutout baseball and allowed only five hits.

It didn't take long to tell the left-hander was going to deliver a spectacular effort. Gast efficiently set down the first eleven hitters he faced before Arkansas third baseman Luis Jimenez reached base on a bloop single.

If anyone was going to deter Gast tonight, Jimenez would have been a viable choice. Jimenez has absolutely crushed Cardinal pitching in 2011, sporting a .410 average with six home runs and 22 RBI's in 15 games against Springfield. The Texas League All-Star only improved on those numbers tonight, picking up two of the four Arkansas base hits.

Eddie McKiernan (4-9, 4.70 ERA) took the hill for Arkansas. McKiernan came into the game really struggling on the road, carrying a 1-8 record and a 9.38 ERA in seven starts.

It wasn't until the third inning, but the Cardinals broke through and ensured McKiernan's woes away from home would continue. Ryan Jackson got the scoring started, driving in Jose Garcia with a double down the left field line. Matt Adams followed with a sacrifice fly RBI before Alex Castellanos delivered the big blow of the inning, a two-run home run smashed to deep left field. The home run was Castellanos' 19th of the year and gave Springfield a 4-0 lead.

Jackson and the Cardinals struck for two more in the bottom of the fourth. Daryl Jones and Garcia both reached to lead off the inning, setting up Jackson's second RBI double in as many at-bats. This one, a sharp line drive to right field, scored two and knocked Arkansas starter McKiernan (3.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER) out of the game. Springfield cruised into the top of the fifth up 6-0.

The cruise setting didn't stay set long as first baseman Roberto Lopez led off the inning with a solo home run, putting the Travelers on the board. Gast quickly regained his composure, retiring the next three Arkansas batters and leaving the top of the fifth with a 6-1 lead.

Not to be deterred by Lopez's solo shot, Gast pitched through trouble in the sixth and navigated perfect seventh and eighth innings en route to the conclusion of his sensational start. With the effective outing, Gast now sports a home ERA of 0.60, conceding only one run in his fifteen innings pitched.

Kevin Thomas closed the door on Arkansas in the ninth, pitching out of a small jam to give Springfield a 6-1 win.

Springfield will conclude their three-game series with the Arkansas Travelers Thursday night at 7:07pm. The Cardinals will send left hander Nick Additon to the mound against fellow lefty Andrew Taylor of the Travelers.

Thursday finishes the three-game set with the Travelers and is the ever popular "Buck a Brat" Night featuring $1 Johnsonville Bratwurst all night long. Great tickets are still available by visiting the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at springfieldcardinals.com or by calling (417) 863-2143.

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Texas League Stories from July 27, 2011


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