TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Cardinals Fall to Naturals 9-1

Published on July 31, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Springfield, MO - Back at Hammons Field Sunday night, the Birds looked to continue their winning streak in game three of the four game series against the NW Arkansas Naturals.

Righty Joe Kelly and the Springfield Cardinals would take the field first to start the night. Paulo Orlando led-off for the Naturals at the plate with a ground ball single to second basemen Jose Garcia. With Christian Colon at bat, Orlando stole second. A sacrifice bunt from Colon followed by a two out single from Jamie Romak plated Orlando to put the Naturals on top, 1-0.

After a quick two outs to start the second, Rey Navarro broke the silence with a single followed by a double from Ryan Eigsti to give the Naturals a 2-0 lead. Kelly buckled down for the third out of the inning with his second strike out to Paulo Orlando.

Chris Dwyer and the Naturals continued to keep the Birds off the board for the first three innings before rallying themselves in the top of the fourth. With one out and no one on, Nick Francis started the inning with a single, advancing to second on a walk with Rey Navarro at the plate. A double steal from Francis and Navarro to place runners at second and third gave Orlando the go-ahead swing from third base coach Brian Poldberg with two outs. Orlando would reach on an infield single from pitcher Joe Kelly, plating one more run and another coming across on a poor throw to give Northwest a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the inning.

The Cardinals answered in the sixth with a solo homerun from Jose Garcia, 4-1 Naturals. Jackson followed with a single, but would be called out on a fielder's choice ground ball from Jermaine Curtis to short. Adams was left stranded at first as Dwyer retired the next two batters to end the inning.

New Cardinals reliever Jeff Lyman replaced Joe Kelly for the night in the top of the seventh. Kelly retired after six innings, allowing four runs, three earned on six hits, two walks and five strike-outs. A double from lead off hitter Ryan Eigsti started the seventh for the Naturals. Orlando followed on a line drive single to right to place runners at the corners. After an intentional walk to Myers loaded the bases for Jamie Romak with one out it soon became 8-1 on a 1-0 pitch count as Romak nailed a grand slam to left over the visiting bullpen. Lyman retired the next two batters to end the inning with Springfield down by seven.

The Cardinals would be held at one run for the night as the Naturals tallied one more in the eighth against Jorge Rondon. Nick Greenwood stepped out of the Cardinals bullpen in the top of the ninth, throwing a scoreless inning to take Springfield into the bottom of the ninth. Unfortunately the Birds came up short, ending their five-game winning streak with a final score of 9-1.

Springfield will finish their four-game series with the NW Arkansas Naturals Monday night at 7:07pm. The Cardinals will send left hander John Gast to the mound against righty Jake Odorizzi of the Naturals.

Monday concludes the homestand and brings in the month of August with another Fazoli's Four Pack night where a family of four will receive four tickets, four shirts and a family meal for four at Fazoli's for just $40! Fazoli's Four Packs can be purchased at Hammons Field or at any Springfield or Joplin Fazoli's Restaurant. So, come on out to take advantage of this terrific deal! 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 31, 2011


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