Cardinals nearly no-hit Hooks, 7-0

Corpus Christi, TX - The Springfield Cardinals came within two outs of their first-ever no-hitter, allowing just one hit in the 7-0 shutout win of the Corpus Christi Hooks before 5,218 fans at Whataburger Field on Friday night. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Hooks 1B Jon Singleton broke up the no-hit bid with a double.

Cardinals RHP Ryan Helsley (W, 2-0) dealt a dominant 6.0 innings in his start, no-hitting the Hooks (22-25, 56-61) while on the mound. While not allowing a single hit, Helsley worked around five walks and struck out six batters, closing his hitless performance with a 1.62 ERA through his first three Double-A starts.

RHP Pedro Echemendia followed Helsley's lead with two perfect relief innings in the seventh and eighth to preserve the no-hit bid. However, after a walk and a fly out in the bottom of the ninth, Singleton doubled against RHP Rowan Wick for the Hooks first hit of the night. Wick responded with two quick outs to close the Cardinals fifth all-time 9-inning one-hitter.

While the arms dominated, Springfield (31-17, 66-52) powered in front in the top of the third. With two down and the bases empty, RF Adolis Garcia hammered a solo home run to left field, lifting the Cardinals into the 1-0 lead.

Springfield stretched the advantage in the top of the fourth inning. A one-out double from DH Anthony García started the rally. After Garcia moved to third base on a wild pitch, SS Jacob Wilson brought him in with an RBI single to left-center field, doubling the Cardinals lead to 2-0.

The Cards struck again in the top of the fifth. LF Randy Arozarena led off with a walk, before stealing his way to second base. Two outs later, 2B Eliezer Álvarez placed an RBI single to shallow right field, plating Arozarena from second base to make it 3-0.

RF Adolis Garcia added to the lead in the top of the seventh. After a two-out walk from 3B Darren Seferina, Adolis Garcia belted a two-run shot to left field, his second homer of the night, third in two games since returning from AAA-Memphis and ninth on the year, stretching the lead to 5-0.

The Cardinals added two final runs in the top of the ninth. CF Oscar Mercado led off with a double. Arozarena then tapped a grounder back to the mound that RHP Ryan Thompson fielded but errantly threw past third base, allowing Mercado to score on the play with Arozarena winding up at second. One out later, Adolis Garcia rifled an RBI single to left field for his fourth RBI of the night, accounting for the eventual final score of 7-0 in the Cardinals shutout win.
1987 National League Championship Replica Rings, Charlie Brown Bobbleheads, St. Louis Cardinals 2018 Ticket Vouchers, Friday Night Fireworks and more during August 15 - 20 Homestand
The Cardinals continue the road trip in Corpus Christi at 7:05pm on Saturday night. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7 FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

Springfield then returns home for the next fun-filled homestand from Tuesday, August 15 - Sunday, August 20. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:

-Tuesday, August 15, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, August 16, 6:30pm - Wednesday Night Baseball vs. San Antonio Missions. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Thursday, August 17, 7:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals Replica 1987 National League Championship Ring Giveaway (2,000) and Klement's "Buck a Brat" Night. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, August 18, 7:10pm - AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks highlighting 20th Anniversary of 1997 Hits. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, August 19, 6:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals Charlie Brown & Peanuts 50th Anniversary Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000) and Missouri State Bears Night with a Specialty Cardinals & Bears Themed Jersey Auction. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, August 20, 2:10pm - Matt Gifford Day with the St. Louis Cardinals 2018 Ticket Voucher Giveaway (2,000), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 1:10pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.
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