Thomas swats 9th inning home run, Travs escape with 3-2 win

North Little Rock, AR - CF Lane Thomas led off the ninth inning with a solo home run, but the Arkansas Travelers escaped with a 3-2 win at Dickey-Stephens Park on Wednesday night.

Arkansas (10-7, 45-42) struck early with a pair of two-out homers against RHP Anthony Shew (L, 4-5). With one on and two away, CF Braden Bishop swatted a two-run blast in the third, followed an inning later by a solo home run from LF Dario Pizzano in the fourth to make it 3-0.

That was all Shew allowed, however, as the right-hander rattled off 10 straight outs to close his night with just the three runs on five hits and six strikeouts in seven innings.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals (5-14, 38-51) got on the board against RHP Nathan Bannister (W, 6-5) in the top of the sixth. SS Tommy Edman led off with his second walk of the night, before racing all the way home on an RBI double from 2B Ramón Urías that extended his hitting streak to 10 games and shaved the Cardinals deficit to 3-1.

After Travs RHP David McKay tossed a pair of scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, the Cardinals had one last charge in the ninth against RHP Matt Festa (S, 12). CF Lane Thomas opened the inning with a solo home run crushed inside the left field line, his 16th blast and his organization-leading 57th RBI of the year. On the very next pitch, LF Victor Roache drilled a fly ball back to the short wall in right field that appeared to be home run distance, but was caught up against the fence by RF Chuck Taylor, keeping Arkansas ahead by a run. Festa then dug in with consecutive outs, and the Travs hung on for the 3-2 win.
Carlos Martínez Bobbleheads this Sunday, July 15 kick off homestand
The Cardinals continue the road trip in Arkansas on Thursday at 7:10pm. 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 returns home for a four-game series at Hammons Field against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Sunday, July 15 - Wednesday, July 18, featuring:

-Sunday, July 15, 6:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals Carlos Martinez Mystery Hair Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000), Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Monday, July 16, 6:30pm - Monday Night Baseball vs. Northwest Arkansas. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Tuesday, July 17, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, July 18, 6:30pm - Purina Woof Wednesday with dogs welcome at the ballpark. 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.
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