Cardinals outlast Naturals, 4-3, in 11 innings

SPRINGDALE, Ar. -- After tying it in the ninth, the Springfield Cardinals outlasted the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 4-3, in an 11-inning battle before 4,203 fans at Arvest Ballpark on Thursday night.

Both sides dueled back and forth with scoreless work through the first six innings. Cardinals LHP Evan Kruczynski opened his 7.0-inning outing with no runs through his first 6.0 frames and did not allow a hit until the fifth. Naturals RHP Scott Blewett countered with 5.0 scoreless innings, followed by a zero in the sixth from RHP Grant Gavin.

Both sides, however, broke through in the seventh. Leading off the top of the seventh against Gavin, 1B Chris Chinea slugged his 13th home run of the year, a solo shot, lifting the Cardinals ahead, 1-0.

Kruczynski had cruised through his first six innings with just two hits and one walk, but the Naturals (28-30, 63-65) plated a pair in the seventh to move in front. With one away, 3B Kelvin Gutierrez worked a walk before racing home on an RBI double by DH Alex Liddi. A single moved Liddi to third, followed by an RBI sac fly from RF Alfredo Escalera that brought Liddi in and lifted the Naturals ahead, 2-1.

Springfield (24-34, 57-61) battled it back even in the top of the ninth. An error allowed RF Blake Drake to reach base to start the rally, followed by a pair of free passes from Chinea and DH Victor Roache. RHP Franco Terrero took over to face C Jeremy Martinez, but Martinez won the battle with an RBI single just inside the right field line, scoring Drake to tie the game, 2-2.

RHP Derian Gonzalez tossed a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth, sending the game into extra innings. The Cardinals then jumped ahead in the top of the 10th against RHP Walker Sheller (L, 3-2). With CF Chase Pinder starting the inning at second, 2B Andy Young reached on a bunt single. One out later with runners at the corners, Drake laid down an RBI bunt single perfectly inside the first base line, plating Pinder from third for the 3-2 lead.

RHP Seth Elledge (W, 2-1) took over to start the bottom of the 10th. RF Alfredo Escalera opened the inning as the automatic runner and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. One out later, with the Naturals down to their final out, 2B Erick Mejia legged out an RBI infield single, bringing home Escalera to tie the game at 3-3 and force an 11th inning.

Chinea started the top of the 11th at second and quickly moved to third on a deep fly out from DH Victor Roache. C Jeremy Martinez then lined an RBI sac fly to left field, bringing home Chinea for the 4-3 advantage.

With the automatic runner at second, Elledge opened the bottom of the 11th with a walk to 1B Samir Dueñez. Elledge, though, dug in from there with back-to-back strikeouts and a game-ending groundout, stranding the two runners and closing the 4-3 win for the Cardinals in 11 innings.
Final Homestand features David Eckstein Bobbleheads, Three Fireworks Shows, Championship Steins, St. Louis Cardinals Ticket Vouchers and more Aug. 28 - Sept. 3
The Cardinals continue the final road trip of the season at 7:05pm on Friday in Northwest Arkansas. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7 FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyotes Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

The Cardinals then return home for the final homestand of the 2018 Regular Season from Tuesday, August 28 - Monday, Sept. 3, featuring:

-Tuesday, August 28, 6:30pm - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Book Drive benefiting Springfield-Greene County Public Library and Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, August 29, 6:30pm - Purina Woof Wednesday with all dogs welcome at the ballpark. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Thursday, August 30, 7:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals 2019 Ticket for Two Voucher Giveaway (2,000), Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night and Pregame On-Field Happy Hour. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, August 31, 7:10pm - Friday Fireworks with Modern Juke Box Hits. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, Sept. 1, 6:10pm - Budweiser St. Louis Cardinals 1982 World Championship Beer Stein Giveaway (2,000, 21+), Specialty Teal Jersey Auction to benefit GYNCA and Fans-On-Field Fireworks & Kids Dance Party. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, Sept. 2, 6:10pm - Aaron Sachs & Associates David Eckstein First Batter Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000), Fireworks with Fan Request Music, Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Monday, Sept. 3, 12:15pm - Fan Appreciation Day Free Voucher for 2019 Springfield Cardinals Game for all fans. Gates open at 11:15am.

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.