Cardinals win nailbiter in San Antonio, 5-4

San Antonio, TX - The Springfield Cardinals got out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth to take the 5-4 win against the San Antonio Missions before 4,428 fans at Wolff Stadium on Tuesday night.

Springfield (19-26, 52-63) jumped in front in the top of the first inning and never trailed. With two away and RHP Lake Bachar (L, 2-6) on the mound, 3B Evan Mendoza kept the inning alive with a walk. 1B John Nogowski followed with a single, before RF Johan Mieses brought in both runners with a two-out, two-run single to lift the Cardinals ahead, 2-0.

The Cards doubled the lead with two more tallies in the top of the third. With one on and one away, Nogowski belted a two-run blast to left field, his ninth home run of the year, making it 4-0.

The Missions (22-22, 64-50) raced back within a run of tying it with three in the bottom of the third against RHP Anthony Shew. With two on and two away, 1B Kyle Overstreet got the Missions on the board with an RBI single. SS Peter Van Gansen then got into a two-run double to deep left-center, bringing home 3B Ty France and Overstreet to shave the deficit to just one run. Van Gansen then tried to score on a single from RF Michael Gettys, but was thrown out at the plate by RF Johan Mieses, including a great tag by C Jeremy Martinez, ending the inning with the Cardinals ahead, 4-3.

Springfield stretched the lead with a run in the top of the fifth. A two-out walk from Nogowski kept the inning alive, before Mieses reached on a two-base missed catch error committed by Bachar as a pop up in front of the mound landed, allowing Nogowski to get to third on the play. Nogowski then darted home on an RBI single from LF Victor Roache, although Mieses was thrown out at the plate trying to score as well. The two-out rally did extend the Cardinals lead to 5-3.

After Shew closed his outing with six straight outs through the fifth and sixth frames, the Missions again came within a run with one tally against LHP Elniery García in the seventh. With two on and one away, France dealt an RBI single that brought home CF Buddy Reed. Garcia battled back with a strikeout of C Austin Allen, before giving way to RHP Roel Ramirez with two on and two down. Ramirez induced an inning-ending fly out, and then dealt a 1-2-3 eighth inning to keep the Cardinals ahead, 5-4.

The Missions had one last attempt in the bottom of the ninth against RHP Seth Elledge (S, 1). After a single and a sac bunt started the frame with one on and one away, the Cardinals intentionally walked 1B Josh Naylor. Elledge struck out France for the second out, and the Cardinals then intentionally walked Allen to load the bases with two away. Elledge then won the battle against Overstreet, inducing a game ending fly out to right field, and the Cardinals hung on for the 5-4 win.
Bob Gibson Career Highlights Bobbleheads, Snoopy Bobbleheads and more August 14 - 19
The Cardinals continue the trip in San Antonio on Wednesday at 7:05pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyotes Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

Springfield then returns home for a fun-filled homestand from Tuesday, August 14 - Sunday, August 19, featuring:

-Tuesday, August 14, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield School Supply Drive. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, August 15, 6:30pm - Purina Woof Wednesday with dogs welcome at the game. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Thursday, August 16, 7:10pm - Henry's Towing Baseball Card Set Giveaway (2,000) and Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, August 17, 7:10pm - Fans-On-Field Fireworks and Wedding Dance Party. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, August 18, 6:10pm - Maria's Mexican Restaurant Bob Gibson Career Highlights Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000) and Specialty Jersey Auction to benefit Springfield Sports Commission. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, August 19, 6:10pm - Peanuts & St. Louis Cardinals Snoopy Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

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.
Click here to order your tickets and view the full 2018 Promotional Schedule.