Naturals Take Second Straight Over Cards
Published on April 28, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release
Northwest Arkansas starter Blake Johnson carried a perfect game into the sixth inning, as the Naturals got strong pitching to beat the Springfield Cardinals by a final of 3-1 on Tuesday night at Arvest Ballpark.
Johnson (1-2) didn't allow his first base-runner, until Tyler Henley doubled down the right field line, with one out in the sixth inning. Johnson walked Jim Rapoport two batters later, but got Daryl Jones to foul out to end the threat, as the Naturals held on to their three-run lead.
Cards' starter Brandon Dickson (1-1) surrendered single runs in the first, third and fourth innings, working a total of 5 1/3 innings on Tuesday night.
Corey Smith's sac fly in the first scored Jose Duarte for a 1-0 lead. In the third, Joe Dickerson doubled home Cody Strait for a 2-0 lead. John Suomi took Dickson out to right field in the fourth, as the Naturals grabbed a 3-0 lead.
Springfield got their lone run in the seventh, when Steven Hill reached on a throwing error, then scored on Daniel Descalso's RBI single to left, making it 3-1.
Jones doubled in the ninth against Naturals' closer Victor Marte. Marte recovered through, getting Brett Wallace to ground out and striking out Hill, before snaring Descalso's line drive out of mid-air to end the game. The save for Marte is his second.
Descalso extended his hitting streak to 11 straight, while Hill's 11-game streak came to an end with an 0-for-4 performance. The Redbirds' offense was held to a season-low three hits.
Now with a two-game losing streak, the Cardinals will send Brad Furnish (1-0) to the mound on Wednesday, as he takes on Naturals' right-hander Blake Wood (1-0). Game time from Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas is 6:30pm.
The Cards will return to Hammons Field after their eight game road trip, taking on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Tuesday, May 5th, in the opening game of a four-game home stand. Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at springfieldcardinals.com. Escape to Hammons Field....Go Cards!
Copyright © 2009 Springfield Cardinals, All rights reserved. Visit us online at www.springfieldcardinals.com
Texas League Stories from April 28, 2009
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