TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Cards Edge Naturals in Series-Opener

Published on July 16, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


The Springfield Cardinals won their second consecutive game, knocking off the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 4-3, in the opening game of a four-game series at Hammons Field.

Scott Gorgen earned his first Double-A win, while Tyler Henley established a new career-high, with his eighth homer of the year.

Henley's solo shot in the bottom of the second inning off Naturals' starter Rowdy Hardy, tied the game at 1-1.

The Naturals got a pair of runs in the top of the third, taking a 3-1 lead. With Kurt Mertins aboard with an infield single, Corey Smith launched his 14th home run of the year, putting the Naturals up by a pair.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the inning, Hardy walked Henley to force in a run, making it a one-run game at 3-2.

Springfield took the lead for good in the fourth, scoring twice off Hardy (0-1). After Andrew Brown tripled to open the inning, Colt Sedbrook tied the game at 3-3 with an RBI single. With Sedbrook at second and one out, Jim Rapoport singled home what turned out to be the game-winning run, putting the Cards ahead to stay at 4-3.

Gorgen (1-1) settled down and worked around five total walks over 5 2/3 innings. He departed after a two-out walk in the sixth. Fernando Salas came out of the bullpen and fanned ex-major leaguer Vance Wilson to end the threat.

Salas followed with a 1-2-3 seventh, then turned it over to Eduardo Sanchez, who worked a perfect eighth.

Francisco Samuel entered in the ninth inning, in search of his 21st save of the year. With one out, Samuel walked Ed Lucas to put the tying run aboard. After a fly ball off the bat of Wilson for the second out, Cody Strait reached on Samuel's throwing error to first base. But with two on and two away, Samuel got Cody Clark to hit into a game-ending fielder's choice, ending the potential ninth-inning rally.

The Redbirds have now won four of their last five games and improve to 11-8 in the second half and 49-40 overall. Lance Lynn (8-2) and the Cardinals take on Anthony Lerew (4-4) and the Naturals on Friday, in the second game of the four-game set. Friday night is another AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks Display. Khalil Greene, down from St. Louis on a rehab assignment, is scheduled to be in the lineup over the next three days at Hammons Field. Game time on Friday is 7:10pm. Tickets are always available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com.

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Texas League Stories from July 16, 2009


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