Cardinals Lose to Naturals 4-3
Published on June 17, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Springfield, MO - Amid controversy shadowing the ballgame and a ninth comeback attempt by the Cardinals, Northwest Arkansas squeezed by and defeated Springfield 4-3.
Springfield starter Seth Mannes entered the game following a one-run complete game in his previous start against the Arkansas Travelers this past Tuesday. Maness (3-1) pitched six and a third innings surrendering three runs on seven hits.
Chris Dwyer (4-6) started for the Naturals and pitched seven solid innings before leaving the ballgame in the eighth inning. He gave up two runs and struck out six Cardinal batters.
The Naturals scored first in the ballgame on a two-run home run by Eric Duncan during the top of the fourth inning. Prior to this, Northwest Arkansas had only collected two hits off Maness.
The top of the seventh inning lasted about a half an hour, and delivered controversy between coaches and umpires. Following a leadoff double by Carlo Testa and two fielding miscues from Xavier Scruggs, the Naturals scored its third run of the ballgame.
The controversy began with Paulo Orlando at the plate. Orlando popped out in front of home near the foul line. Maness attempted to catch the ball, but it went off his glove with possible interference by Orlando. After deliberation from the umpire crew, the ball was called foul and the game resumed. Directly after that discussion, umpire Matt Benham ejected pitching coach Bryan Eversgerd after he made a comment about the tight pitching zone.
More disfavor of the umpiring of Benham transferred into the top of the eighth inning as Audry Perez and Springfield manager Mike Shildt were ejected from the ballgame
Riding the momentum of three Cardinals being ejected, Springfield loaded the bases for Oscar Taveras with no outs. He then drove in two runs on a single to center field. After two straight Cardinals struck out, Scruggs hit a single to right field. Jermaine Curtis attempted to score from second on the hit, but he was thrown out at the plate.
Northwest Arkansas' Yem Prades supplied some insurance with a home run to left field in the top of the ninth inning.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Springfield staged a comeback attempt. Kolten Wong pinch-hit with Adam Melker on first base. He doubled deep down the right-field line, which eventually scored Melker from first. However, Wong was then thrown out at third. Following two walks, Oscar Taveras came up to the plate looking to be the hero. Unfortunately for Springfield, Naturals' reliever Buddy Baumann struck out Taveras after a lengthy at bat to end the ballgame.
Springfield will hit the road and begin an eight-game road trip starting with a four-game set with the Arkansas Travelers tomorrow night at 7:10pm. The Cardinals will send Trevor Rosenthal to the mound against Ariel Pena of the Travs.
The Cardinals will not return home until Friday, June 29th after the All-Star break to host the Frisco RoughRiders in a three game series. Every Friday is a Fireworks Friday thanks to AM Pyrotechnics. Great tickets are still available, so visit the Hammons Field Ticket Office, go online at springfieldcardinals.com or call (417) 863-2143.
Texas League Stories from June 17, 2012
- Travs Swept by Drillers - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Lose to Naturals 4-3 - Springfield Cardinals
- Dwyer Dominates Cardinals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, June 17 at Frisco - Corpus Christi Hooks
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