TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Naturals Take Friday Night Finale from Cardinals

August 25, 2018 - Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ar. -- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals claimed the series finale with a 9-3 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 6,694 fans at Arvest Ballpark on Friday night.

The Cardinals (24-35, 57-72) came out swinging in the top of the second against LHP Foster Griffin (W, 10-12), starting the stanza with consecutive singles from LF Johan Mieses and 1B John Nogowski. After a walk from RF Blake Drake loaded the bases with no outs, Mieses darted home on a double play ball hit by C Jeremy Martinez, opening a 1-0 lead for Springfield.

The Naturals (29-30, 64-65) countered right away with three runs in the bottom of the second. After a walk from RF Anderson Miller started the frame, C Xavier Fernandez launched an RBI triple to center field to tie the game. DH Kort Peterson then brought in Fernandez with a go-ahead RBI single, followed by a base hit from 2B Corey Toups. Two outs later, 1B Samir Duenez added to the lead with an RBI double, making it a 3-1 advantage for the Naturals.

The Cardinals shaved the deficit with a run in the top of the third. With one away, SS Tommy Edman and 3B Evan Mendoza knocked back-to-back base hits, followed by an RBI single from 2B Andy Young that brought home Edman and cut the Naturals lead to 3-2.

The Naturals added to the lead with a solo home run from C Xavier Fernandez in the bottom of the fifth, opening the lead to 4-2.

Springfield again pulled back within a run in the top of the sixth, which RF Blake Drake started with his second double of the day. One out later, DH Victor Roache connected on an RBI double to right field, plating Drake and decreasing the Cardinals deficit to just 4-3.

Northwest Arkansas, though, blew it open with a two-run shot by 1B Samir Duenez in the bottom of the sixth before pouring in three more runs in the seventh. With two on and two away, CF Nick Heath ripped a two-run triple to left field, before scoring on an RBI single from SS Jecksson Flores to account for the eventual final score of 9-3.

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