Story Published:
Jul 31, 2010 at 9:35 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 31, 2010 at 10:39 PM CDT
Donning the Powder-Blue Uniforms of the early 80's, the Springfield Cardinals were in position to make up ground on the 1st place Northwest Arkansas Naturals in the 2nd game of the five game series at Hammons Field. Cardinals starting pitcher Scott McGregor began the game with a scoreless 1st inning, but the Naturals bats would get to McGregor in the top of the 2nd inning when Manny Pina and Tim Smith hit back to back ground rule doubles to give the Naturals a 1-0 lead.
After three scoreless frames by Naturals starter John Lamb, Aaron Luna singled to lead off the 4th and went to third on a wild pick off attempt. Cardinals' left fielder Tommy Pham then evened the score at 1-1 with an RBI single to right field that brought Luna home. The Cardinals then took the lead after Chris Swauger singled to right field moving Pham to third before Pete Kozma hit an RBI sac-fly that scored Pham making the score 2-1.
The Cardinals offense got the best of Lamb again in the bottom of the 5th inning when Matt Carpenter reached base on a fielding error and Steven Hill blasted a two-run homer, his 16th of the year, that catapulted Springfield to a 4-1 lead.
John Lamb left the game after five innings of work that included four runs on six hits and four strikeouts in his Double-A debut. Chris Chavez took over for Lamb in the bottom of the 6th inning not allowing a hit until the bottom of the 7th inning when Tony Cruz hit a solo homerun to lead off the frame that increased the Cardinals lead to 5-1. After the homerun, Chavez loaded the bases with singles by Matt Carpenter and Steven Hill and then allowing a walk to Tommy Pham. Chris Swauger continued the offensive output against Chavez when he hit an RBI single to left that scored Carpenter and gave the Cardinals a 6-1 lead. Chavez then allowed the 3rd run of the inning when he walked Pete Kozma with the bases loaded to further increase the Cardinals lead to 7-1.
Cardinals' starter Scott McGregor left the game after seven innings of work where he allowed only one run on three hits with season high eight strikeouts. After allowing back to back ground rule doubles in the bottom of the 2nd inning, McGregor would allow a walk to Chris McConnell with two outs before retiring the next 16 batters before leaving the mound for Adam Reifer in the top of the 8th. Reifer would throw a scoreless inning.
Chavez returned to the mound in the bottom of the 8th inning only to load the bases again with three walks to Daryl Jones, Tony Cruz and Matt Carpenter. After retiring the next two Cardinals batters, the Naturals replaced Chavez for Ben Swaggerty who then issued a walk Tommy Pham with the bases loaded giving the Cardinals an 8-1 lead.
Jason Buursma emerged from the bullpen in the bottom of the 9th inning to retire all three Naturals batters on only four pitches. The Naturals began the day tied with the most homeruns (95), RBI's (542) and the best batting average (.292) in the Texas League, but McGregor and the Cardinals pitching staff held the Naturals offense to only four hits and one run in the game.
Springfield will continue their five game series with the NW Arkansas Naturals with a doubleheader Sunday evening at 5:10pm. The Cardinals will send right hander David Kopp (8-2) to the mound in game one and lefty Nick Additon (6-6) in game two against left hander Everett Teaford (8-3) in game one and righty Blake Johnson (2-2) in game two for the Naturals.
Sunday will feature another doubleheader at Hammons field to make up for a postponed game Monday against NW Arkansas in Springdale, Arkansas. Sunday, another 2,500 Cardinals T-Shirts will be given away thanks to Auto Magic/Jiffy Lube. Gates will be opening at 4:40pm prior to the 5:10pm first pitch. Game two will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. It is also a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday where all kids coming into the park receive a free ice cream treat prior to the game and, new to Season Six, will be the Wild Animal Safari petting zoo prior to the game on the Prime Patio. And, as always, kids are invited to Run the Bases following the game. For ticket information please visit the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at www.springfieldcardinals.com or call (417) 863-2143.
