TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Cardinals Even Series

Published on June 15, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGFIELD, MO - The Springfield Cardinals evened the series with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals defeating them 5-2 on Friday night at Hammons field. The two teams are again tied for second place in the Texas League's North Division.

The Springfield Cardinals jumped out to a two-run lead for the second straight game. The Cardinals got RBI singles from Greg Garcia and Kolten Wong in the top of the third inning.

The Naturals offense battled back in the top of the third inning. Nick Van Stratten and Ryan Jenkins put together back-to-back single, and Yem Prades reached on an error that scored Nick Van Stratten. Cardinals' starter Carlos Martinez worked out of the jam without allowing further damage. Martinez went three innings allowing one run and three hits while fanning three.

Xavier Scruggs pushed the Cardinals (34-32) lead back up to two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Scruggs hit a solo homer, his eleventh of the season off of Naturals' starter Justin Marks to make it a 3-1 Cardinals lead.

Marks (3-3) went five and two-thirds innings allowing six hits and three runs. The Naturals (34-32) left-hander tied a season high with seven strikeouts. He last struck out seven on May seventh against the Tulsa Drillers.

Cardinals' reliever Deryk Hooker walked Johnny Whittleman to start the seventh inning. Whittleman then moved to second on a wild pitch, and third on a passed ball. He later scored on a sacrifice fly by Sharlon Schoop to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Cardinals tacked on two more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Scruggs drove home both Oscar Taveras and Adam Melker to push the lead to 5-2. Scruggs now has 36 RBI, including the three from today.

Justin Thomas (2-0) worked three perfect innings, striking out four to earn his second win of the season. Keith Butler worked around a one-out double by Eric Duncan and a hit batter to earn his Texas League leading 14 save of the season.

The same two teams will continue their four-game series tomorrow night at 6:08 PM. The Naturals will send Elisaul Pimentel (2-5, 5.96) against right-hander Scott Gorgen (2-5, 4.36) Springfield Cardinals. The game can be heard on News Talk 1030 KFAY.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 15, 2012


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