Late Runs Propel Springfield to Win
April 22, 2013 - Texas League (TL1) - Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A three-run seventh inning by the Springfield Cardinals broke a 6-6 tie as they defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 9-6 on Monday night in the opening game of a four-game series.
Former Kansas City Royal Ruben Gotay hit a one-out double off of Brooks Pounders in the seventh to give the Cardinals a 7-6 lead. Xavier Scruggs followed Gotay with a two-run home run, giving Springfield a 9-6 lead.
The Naturals got off to a good start, taking a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Rey Navarro, Mitch Canham and Manny Piña hit RBI doubles, while Matt Fields brought home Piña on a two-out single.
Springfield got on the board in the fourth inning as Chris Swauger singled to score Gotay and a two-run home run by Starlin Rodriguez cut the Naturals' advantage to 4-3. The Cardinals added three more runs in the fifth inning off of Northwest Arkansas starting pitcher Jason Adam on a Thomas Pham double and singles by Scruggs and Swauger.
Northwest Arkansas tied the game in the seventh inning as Fields hit a one-out single that scored Canham and Yem Prades. Fields went two-for-three with two singles and three RBI. Orlando Calixte, Navarro and Piña each had two hits, as all but one Naturals starter recorded at least one hit.
Brooks Pounders is charged with the loss for the Naturals, allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work. Adam gave up six runs on seven hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Matt Ridings made his Double-A debut in the eighth after being activated from the Disabled List prior to the game, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one batter.
Ramon Delgado earned his first win of 2013, striking out one batter while holding the Naturals hitless in 1.2 innings of work. Michael Blazek recorded his fourth save, sending the Naturals down in order in the ninth inning.
Sugar Ray Marimon (1-1, 3.86 ERA) will start tomorrow night's game for the Naturals. He will be opposed by Carlos Martinez (0-0, 3.84 ERA).
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