Cardinals Fall to Hooks 4-2
August 15, 2011 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Springfield, MO - Needing a win to clinch a .500 homestand, the Springfield Cardinals got spurned by a pitching performance fit for a Clemens.
Corpus Christi right-hander Paul Clemens never gave the Cardinals a chance over his seven shutout innings, and the Hooks defeated Springfield 4-2.
Clemens (0-0, 0.00 ERA) appeared in just his second start for the Hooks after being acquired in the deal that sent Michael Bourn to the Atlanta Braves. In his first time out, Clemens blanked the Arkansas Travelers on four hits and three walks over six and two thirds.
Opposing Clemens was Arquimedes Nieto (1-4, 4.35 ERA). Nieto made his season debut for the Springfield Cardinals, taking the scheduled spot of resting Shelby Miller. No stranger to Hammons Field, Nieto made seven starts at the ballpark in 2010.
The game's first two innings remained scoreless, but not without chances for both Nieto and Clemens to help themselves. Neither could drive in their respective teammate on third base, as both grounded out to end the opportunity.
Another inning devoid of offense ensued before the Hooks notched a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. First baseman Kody Hinze led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on Adam Bailey's double to right. Hinze would score the game's first run one batter later with the help of Jon Gaston's sacrifice fly. Corpus Christi would get their second run when Ryan Jackson failed to keep a Clemens groundout in the infield, allowing the Hooks to take a 2-0 lead.
One inning later, Corpus Christi stretched their lead to 3-0, using a solo home run from Jonathan Villar. Nieto would finish the inning, but depart the game in jeopardy of taking a loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits.
Pitching continued to be strong for both teams, especially from Clemens. The young right-hander finished his appearance with seven shutout innings, allowing seven hits and just one walk against four strikeouts. The start extended Clemens' scoreless innings streak to nineteen and two thirds. He exited the game six outs away from his first win with Corpus Christi.
For the third consecutive game, the Cardinals would not go quietly. Matt Adams homered on just the second pitch thrown from reliever Jonnathan Aristil. The solo shot just cleared the wall in left-center, ensuring Springfield would not be shut out. Adams' home run was his 28th of the year, just one shy of Colby Rasmus' club record of 29 set in 2007.
A brilliant bit of base-running from Villar gave the Hooks one final insurance run. Running on the pitch from first base, Villar never considered stopping as Zack Cox fielded a ground ball at third. The ensuing throw from Adams was wide of the third base bag, and Villar walked home, having manufactured a run almost completely with his legs.
Springfield made one final push in the bottom of the ninth, as Chris Swauger hammered his tenth home run of the year. Alas, that would be it for the Cardinals, as their last two batters went quietly, giving the game a 4-2 final score.
The Redbirds will use Tuesday as a travel day to head south to take on San Antonio and Corpus Christi beginning with a three game series with the Missions at 7:05 from Wolf Stadium. The Cardinals will send right hander Joe Kelly to the mound against lefty Pedro Hernandez of San Antonio.
The Cardinals will return to Hammons Field for a crucial four-game series with the NW Arkansas Naturals Tuesday August 23rd at 7:07pm. Springfield will be giving away 4,000 sets of team baseball card sets to fans thanks to our friends at Sysco Foods. And, every Tuesday at Hammons Field, the Cardinals will have KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets where if you Buy 1 Ticket you Get 1 Free from KRAFT Singles with purchase. Bring your package wrapper to a Springfield Cardinals Game on Tuesdays for a steal of a deal! Visit kraftsingles.com for more info! Some exclusions apply. Great tickets are still available by visiting the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at springfieldcardinals.com or by calling (417) 863-2143.
Texas League Stories from August 15, 2011
- 'Riders Need Extras to Complete Sweep, Win 3-2 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Fail to Hold Lead, Lose in 12 Innings - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs' Streak Ends, Lose on Getaway Day - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Fall to Hooks 4-2 - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals Fall in Series Finale Monday - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, August 15 - Corpus Christi at Springfield - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers to Host Midland & Frisco at ONEOK Field - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs, Cards Come Calling - Corpus Christi Hooks
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