Cardinals erase 4-run deficit in extras with dramatic 11th-inning walk-off

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Yariel Gonzalez's three-run home run in the 11th brought the Springfield Cardinals (11-11, 41-51) all the way back from a 7-3 extra-inning deficit and capped a dramatic 9-7 comeback walk-off win over the Arkansas Travelers (14-8, 57-33) on Friday night in front of 4,893 fans at Hammons Field.

DECISIONS:
W: RHP Roel Ramirez (5-2)
L: RHP Wyatt Mills (4-1)

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED:
- Trailing 7-3 after the Travelers put four on the board in the top of the 11th, 1B Zach Kirtley quickly cut the deficit in half with a two-run home run to leadoff the inning. After SS Rayder Ascanio grounded out, 2B Michael Perri reached on a single to right and advanced to third on a wild pitch and a passed ball. 3B Alberto Triunfel popped out for the second out, but CF Dylan Carlson was hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive. Next, LF Lars Nootbaar ripped a two-out single that scored Triunfel and brought the Cardinals within a run. The very next pitch ended up as the walk-off, Gonzalez's second this month and the eighth of the year for the Cardinals.

- The Cardinals began cutting into a 3-0 Travelers lead with RBI singles by C Brian O'Keefe and Kirtley in the sixth inning.

- Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Ascanio tied the game 3-3 with a one out single that scored RF Justin Toerner, who had reached with a leadoff walk.

NOTABLES:
- Parsons struck out 10 over 6.0 innings, allowing only the three first-inning runs on five hits and two walks.

- Nootbaar led all Springfield batters with a 3-for-5 night.

- Gonzalez, Kirtley and Ascanio all finished with two hits.

WHAT'S ON DECK:
The Cardinals and Travelers are back at it on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 6:10 p.m. and gates opening at 5:10 p.m.

Saturday is the St. Louis Cardinals "YADI" Tumbler Giveaway for 2,000 fans.