Naturals Nip Cards, End Five-Game Win Streak
August 26, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals scored the game's final three runs, halting Springfield's five-game win streak with an 8-7 victory over the Cards on Wednesday night at Arvest Ballpark.
Jeff Howell's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning not only ended the game, but it put the Naturals in the win column for the first time in eight games.
Tied at 7-7 in the bottom of the ninth, reliever Francisco Samuel allowed a lead-off single to Ed Lucas. David Lough followed with a would-be sacrifice bunt attempt, that actually hugged the third-base foul stripe for a bunt hit. Vance Wilson then tried to bunt the runners over, but popped up to Andrew Brown for the first out of the ninth. On the play, Samuel (3-4) appeared to tweak a knee and was removed for precautionary reasons.
Chuckie Fick was summoned into the game and immediately uncorked a wild pitch, moving runners to second and third. That necessitated an intentional walk to Corey Smith to load the bases. With one out, Howell lined a Fick pitch to right for the walk-off winner.
Andrew Brown had a career-night for Springfield, going yard twice and driving in four runs. Brown has now homered in three straight games and has a total of nine on the year.
After the Cardinals fell behind 4-0 after just two innings of play, they struck for four in the third inning to tie the game. Steven Hill's sac fly put the Cards on the board at 4-1, before Brown blasted his first of two home runs, a three-run shot to even the game at 4-4 against Naturals' starter Matt Kniginyzky.
Cards' starter Scott Gorgen endured some early struggles, as he gave up one in the first, three in the second and then another in the third. Ed Lucas' solo home run broke the four-all tie, giving the Naturals a 5-4 advantage.
Springfield scored the game's next three runs, taking a 7-5 lead. Hill's RBI single plated Joe Mathr in the fifth, tying the game at 5-5. A sac fly by Mather in the sixth put the Redbirds up 6-5. Brown crushed his second homer of the game in the seventh, making it 7-5.
The Naturals tied the game in the seventh, getting a pair of runs off of Ryan Kulik to even the game at 7-7.
Aaron Hartsock (3-1), who worked 3 1/3 innings of relief, earned the win, thanks to the ninth-inning run.
Brandon Dickson (8-9) looks to even up his record at .500 and get Springfield back on track, as he'll be opposed by Naturals' lefty Rowdy Hardy (3-3). Game time on Thursday night is 7:00pm.
The Cards return to Hammons Field on Tuesday, September 1st, as they open the final home stand of the 2009 regular season. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com. We hope to see you at Hammons Field...Escape to Cardinals Baseball!
Texas League Stories from August 26, 2009
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- Naturals Nip Cards, End Five-Game Win Streak - Springfield Cardinals
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