O'Reilly shuts down Naturals, Cards win 7-2

SPRINGDALE, Ar. -- In just his second-career Double-A start, RHP Mike O'Reilly dominated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals with six one-hit innings, striking out nine and helping lead the Springfield Cardinals to the 7-2 win before 6,504 fans at Arvest Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon.

With only one unearned run allowed through his six one-hit frames, O'Reilly improved to 2-0 with a perfect 0.00 ERA through his first two starts and 12.1 innings with Springfield. He did not allow a run or a hit after the first inning, at one point retiring 10 in a row.

After the Naturals (8-17) plated an unearned run in the first, the Cardinals (14-10) raced in front with a six-run outburst in the top of the second against LHP Emilio Ogando (L, 2-2). DH Victor Roache led off with a game-tying solo home run to right field, his third homer in the last three games and seventh on the season. One out later, a walk from SS Edmundo Sosa and a fielder's choice by 2B Luke Dykstra that led to an error put runners at first and second. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third. A groundout to short recorded the second out of the inning, but SS Tommy Edman worked a walk to extend the frame with the bases loaded. CF Lane Thomas then laced a two-run single up the middle, propelling the Cardinals in front, 3-1. C Andrew Knizner followed with an RBI base hit through the right side, before 1B John Nogowski capped the rally with a two-run double to left, extending Springfield's lead to 6-1.

O'Reilly made sure the lead lasted through his six innings, retiring 16 of his final 18 batters with just a hit batter and a walk after the opening inning.

Following a scoreless bottom of the seventh by RHP Landon Beck, Springfield extended the lead with an RBI double from Edman in the eighth to make it 7-1.

Naturals 1B Alex Liddi knocked a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, but Beck closed his second inning with the Cardinals ahead, 7-2.

RHP Hector Mendoza took over for the ninth and worked around a two-out walk, nailing down the 7-2 win for the Cardinals.
Super-Soft Cardinals Nation T-Shirts, Artsfest Doubleheader, Free Pregame Ice Cream for Kids, Kids Run the Bases and more this weekend
The Cardinals continue the road trip in NW Arkansas on Wednesday at 11:05am. Catch all the action live on KBFL 1060AM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

Springfield then returns home for a four-game series against the Tulsa Drillers at Hammons Field from Saturday, May 5 - Tuesday, May 8. Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:

-Saturday, May 5, 6:10pm - Coca-Cola Super-Soft Cardinals Nation T-Shirt Giveaway (2,000), Missouri Lottery Baseball Bingo and the Artsfest Doubleheader ticket special, offering fans a ticket to Saturday's Cardinals game and admission to Artsfest on Historic Walnut 2018 on both Saturday and Sunday, all for just $12. To order your special Artsfest Doubleheader tickets, call 417-863-2143 by 5pm on Friday. Gates open at Hammons Field on Saturday at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, May 6, 2:10pm - Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday, Kids Run the Bases and Baby's First Game Day with free pregame photos on the field. Gates open at 1:10pm.

-Monday, May 7, 11:10am - Day Baseball vs. the Drillers and the Mercy Kids Educational Day Program. Gates open at 10:10am.

-Tuesday, May 8, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. 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 full Promotional Schedule and to order your tickets right now.
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