Cards two-hit Travs in 4-1 win

North Little Rock, AR - RHP Sandy Alcantara, RHP Andrew Morales and RHP Rowan Wick combined to two-hit the Arkansas Travelers, leading the Springfield Cardinals to the 4-1 win before 3,777 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Thursday night.

The Cardinals (11-9, 46-44) came out swinging in the top of the first inning against LHP Anthony Misiewicz (L, 1-1). LF Randy Arozarena got the charge started with a booming triple to left-center field with only one down. CF Oscar Mercado quickly brought in Arozarena with an RBI sacrifice fly to left field, cracking the scoreless tie. With two down and the bases empty, DH Anthony García rifled a double to right-center field, before racing home on an RBI double by 1B John Nogowski to open the lead to 2-0.

After a pair of scoreless stanzas from RHP Sandy Alcantara (W, 4-5), the Cardinals added to the advantage in the top of the third. RF Magneuris Sierra led off with a base hit, before stealing second for his 11th swipe of the season. One out later and with Sierra still at second base, Mercado struck again, this time slicing an RBI single to left-center field to bring in Sierra for the 3-0 lead.

Alcantara tossed a third scoreless inning before the Travs broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Leading off the inning, 3B Seth Mejias-Break pulled a solo home run over the left field fence, getting the Travs on the board and shaving the Cardinals lead to 3-1.

Alcantara, though, bounced back with scoreless work in the fifth and sixth frames, closing his start with just the one run on two hits.

RHP Andrew Morales followed Alcantara with a pair of perfect innings, striking out three batters along the way.

The Cardinals then added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning against RHP Thyago Vieira. 3B Jacob Wilson got the rally started with a one-out double to left-center field. Wilson then moved to third base on a wild pitch, which was also ball four to C Gabriel Lino, putting runners at the corners with one down. SS Tommy Edman brought in Wilson with an RBI fielder's choice, increasing the lead to 4-1.

RHP Rowan Wick (S, 1) took over for the bottom of the ninth, making his Springfield season debut with a scoreless final inning to close the 4-1 win for the Cardinals.
Replica 1942 World Championship Rings, Free Pregame Ice Cream for Kids and Kids Run the Bases on Sunday, July 16
The Cardinals continue the quick four-game series in Arkansas at 7:10pm on Friday. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

The Cardinals then return home for the next fun-filled homestand at Hammons Field from Sunday, July 16 - Wednesday, July 19. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:

-Sunday, July 16, 6:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals Replica 1942 World Series Championship Ring Giveaway (2,000), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Monday, July 17, 6:30pm - Monday Night Baseball vs. NW Arkansas Naturals. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Tuesday, July 18, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, July 19, 6:30pm - Wednesday Night Baseball vs. NW Arkansas Naturals. Gates open at 5:30pm.

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 for the complete 2017 Promotional Schedule and to order your tickets right now.
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