Hudson and Cards blank Travs, 7-0

July 22, 2017

North Little Rock, AR - RHP Dakota Hudson dealt a dominant 7.0 scoreless innings, leading the Springfield Cardinals to the 7-0 shutout win against the Arkansas Travelers before 5,591 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Saturday night. The Cardinals have won nine of their last 10 games to remain in 1st

For the second straight game, the Cardinals (19-10, 54-45) jumped in front in the top of the first against RHP Nick Neidert (L, 0-1). With one down, CF Oscar Mercado reached with an infield single, before stealing his league-leading 31st bag to move to second. 2B Darren Seferina then followed with an infield single of his own, extending his hitting streak to eight games and moving Mercado to third base. With DH Anthony García at bat, a wild pitch from Neidert bounced away, enabling Mercado to score and Seferina to take second. Seferina took third base on a groundout, before sprinting home when another wild pitch evaded Travs C Tyler Marlette, doubling the Cardinals early lead to 2-0.

Springfield RHP Dakota Hudson (W, 9-4) kept the Cardinals two-run lead intact throughout his dominant outing, dealing 7.0 shutout frames with only four hits allowed. Hudson began and ended his start with streaks of seven straight outs, tossing four 1-2-3 frames along the way.

Neidert kept the Cardinals from adding to the advantage throughout the rest of his 5.2 frames, but Springfield struck for more in the top of the seventh. Facing RHP Blake Perry, 1B Jacob Wilson led off with a walk, before going to second base on a single by C Andrew Knizner, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. With two on and no outs, SS Tommy Edman lined an RBI single to plate Wilson and move Knizner to third. RF Magneuris Sierra followed with an RBI groundout to score Knizner and move Edman to second. Mercado and Seferina then followed with consecutive RBI singles, capping the four-run frame for the 6-0 lead.

The Cardinals added one more insurance run in the top of the eighth. Knizner opened the frame with a free pass, followed by a single from Edman. A fielder's choice moved Knizner to third, before he darted home on an RBI sacrifice fly from Mercado, increasing the lead to 7-0.

Hudson finished his outing with his final perfect frame in the seventh, followed by a 1-2-3 eighth inning from LHP Corey Littrell. RHP Landon Beck slammed the door with a scoreless ninth, closing the 7-0 shutout win for Springfield.
Cardinals take on the Drillers at Hammons Field from Monday, July 24 - Wednesday, July 26
The Cardinals conclude the road trip in Arkansas on Sunday at 6:10pm. 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.

The Cardinals then return to Hammons Field for the next fun-filled homestand from Monday, July 24 - Wednesday, July 26. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:

-Monday, July 24, 6:30pm - Monday Night Baseball vs. the Tulsa Drillers. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Tuesday, July 25, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, July 26, 6:30pm - Wednesday Night Baseball vs. the Tulsa Drillers. 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.