TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Naturals Take 1-0 Lead

Published on September 9, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


The Northwest Arkansas Naturals grabbed a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five North Division Finals on Wednesday night, defeating the Springfield Cardinals by a score of 6-0 at Hammons Field.

Naturals' starter Anthony Lerew turned in his best performance of the year, as he used just 73 pitches over nine innings of shut-out baseball.

Lerew (1-0) allowed just two hits, striking out four without walking a single batter in picking up the complete-game shutout.

The Naturals gave Lerew the early lead, scoring a run in the first off Cards' starter Trey Hearne. Jarrod Dyson and Kurt Mertins opened the game with back-to-back hits. With Jeff Bianchi at the plate and runners at the corners, Hearne unloaded a pitch in the dirt. While Bianchi swung and missed for strike three, the ball got away from catcher Tony Cruz, as Dyson scored to make it 1-0.

Hearne (0-1) got burned by an error in the second inning, as the Naturals poured it on and chased the Cardinals' starter. After back-to-back hits to open the inning, Cody Clark sacrificed men to second and third. With one out, Hearne walked the number-nine hitter, Marc Maddox, loading the bases. Dyson followed by hitting a hard grounder to second baseman Colt Sedbrook. Rather than an inning-ending double-play, the ball kicked off Sedbrook's glove, allowing two runs to score, giving the Naturals a 3-0 advantage. Mertins followed with a sac fly to make it 4-0. Jeff Bianchi then followed with a two-run blast to left, putting the Naturals in front 6-0.

Lerew retired the first nine hitters he faced, before giving up a single to Jim Rapoport to open the fourth. With one on and one away, Andrew Brown singled to left-center, putting runners at first and second. Lerew settled in though, striking out Joe Mather and getting Tyler Henley to ground out to end the inning. That was not only Springfield's lone scoring threat, but was their only inning with men on base.

The next 17 hitters were set down in order, as Lerew faced just two men over the minimum.

Springfield's bullpen was the unsung hero on Wednesday, as Ryan Kulik, Gary Daley, Marco Gonzalez and Chuckie Fick combined for 7 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Trailing 1-0, the Redbirds look to rebound on Thursday night at Hammons Field, in what could possibly be the final home game of the year. Lance Lynn (11-4) takes on Blake Johnson (8-8) in game two of the series on Thursday. 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a Cardinals Rally Towel, thanks to Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Playoff tickets are the same affordable price as regular season tickets and are available for Thursday's action, by calling (417) 863-2143.

Check out the Springfield Cardinals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from September 9, 2009


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