Naturals Outlast Cardinals, 6-5, in 12 Innings
Published on May 3, 2017 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Springfield, MO - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals claimed a 6-5 win in 12 innings against the Springfield Cardinals before 2,898 fans at Hammons Field on Tuesday night.
The Naturals (13-10) swung in front out of the gates in the top of the first against LHP Austin Gomber. With one on and two away, 1B Frank Schwindel pulled an RBI double down the left field line, scoring LF Alfredo Escalera from first base for the 1-0 lead.
Northwest Arkansas added to the advantage in the top of the third. With one away, 2B Ruben Sosa, Jr. tripled to right-center field. He then darted home on an RBI groundout by Escalera, doubling the Naturals lead to 2-0.
The Cardinals (12-11) broke through with a two-out rally against RHP Christian Binford in the bottom of the fourth. C Gabriel Lino extended the inning with a two-out free pass, before taking second on a single from 2B Eliezer Alvarez. LF Anthony Garcia then drove an RBI single to shallow center field, bringing in Lino to slice the deficit in half, 2-1.
Gomber kept it just a one-run difference on the board with scoreless work in the fifth and sixth, but the Naturals stretched the lead against RHP Pedro Echemendia in the top of the seventh. Sosa led off with a walk, before racing to third on a double from Escalera. DH Samir Duenez followed with a free pass to load the bases with no outs. Schwindel then delivered another double to drive in two runs. An RBI base hit from 3B Mauricio Ramos scored Duenez but resulted in Schwindel being thrown out at the plate. Echemendia then induced an inning-ending double play, but the Naturals improved their lead to 5-1.
Springfield refused to go down without a fight, shaving the deficit with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Facing LHP Sam Selman, CF Oscar Mercado led off with his second single of the game. One out later, 1B Jacob Wilson was hit by a pitch. After a strikeout, C Gabriel Lino worked a two-out walk to extend the inning and load the bases. Alvarez was then hit by a pitch, forcing in Mercado and keeping the bases full for LF Anthony Garcia. Garcia came through with a two-run single to right field, plating Wilson and Lino and bringing the Cards within one run, 5-4.
RHP Trey Nielsen worked around a leadoff single in the top of the ninth to post a quick, scoreless frame before the Cardinals completed the comeback in the bottom of the ninth. On the inning's first pitch from RHP Reid Redman, DH Dickie Joe Thon unloaded a solo blast over the left field fence, tying the game at 5-5 and forcing extra innings.
Cardinals RHP Kevin Herget (L, 0-1) kept it even through the 11th, but the Naturals pulled back in front in the top of the 12th. With one away, Schwindel worked a walk to reach base. A groundout to short moved Schwindel to second with two down. Schwindel was then replaced by pinch-runner, SS Humberto Arteaga, who promptly came flying home on an RBI single from RF Logan Moon, lifting the Naturals into the 6-5 lead.
Naturals RHP Ashton Goudeau (W, 1-2) dealt a scoreless bottom of the 12th, closing the hard-fought 6-5 win for Northwest Arkansas in 12 innings.
The Cardinals continue the eight-game homestand through Friday, May 5. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:
-Wednesday, May 3, 11:10am - Day Baseball, Mercy Safety Educational Day and High School Career in Sports Day. Gates open at 10:10am.
-Thursday, May 4, 7:10pm - Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance Baseball Koozie Giveaway (2,000) and Klement's "Buck a Brat" Night. Gates open at 6:10pm.
-Friday, May 5, 7:10pm - AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks with "Colorful" Music and Missouri Lottery Baseball Bingo. Gates open at 6:10pm.
For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.
Texas League Stories from May 3, 2017
- Naturals Outlast Springfield in Rainy Victory - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Rained out in North Little Rock - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers to Return Home for Brief Homestand - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Outlast Cardinals, 6-5, in 12 Innings - Springfield Cardinals
- Waldrop Walk-Off Sends Travs Home Winners - Arkansas Travelers
- Lipka's RBI in Eighth Lifts Riders Past Missions - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Win Third Straight in 12-Inning Victory at Springfield - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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