Travs sneak by Cards, 2-1, in opener

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Arkansas Travelers (21-18, 64-43) walked off in the bottom of the ninth inning with a narrow 2-1 win against the Springfield Cardinals (20-19, 50-59) on Thursday night.

DECISIONS:
W: RHP Sam Delaplane (3-1)
L: RHP Ronnie Williams (2-2)

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED:
-Arkansas SS Donnie Walton dealt the first blow with an RBI single in the bottom of the third for the 1-0 lead for the Travs.

-The Cardinals tied it in the top of the fourth when 2B Yariel Gonzalez led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from C Brian O'Keefe and scored on an RBI single from DH Johan Mieses.

-Arkansas dealt the final blow with one on and one down in the bottom of the ninth. CF Luis Liberato drove an RBI double into the left field corner, scoring pinch-running OF Aaron Knapp all the way from first base for the 2-1 walk-off win.

NOTABLES:
-RHP Angel Rondon kept the Travs to just one run through 6.1 innings, scattering three hits and walking four while striking out four. He has held his opponent to one run or fewer in six of his last seven starts, lowering his season ERA to 2.87.

-DH Johan Mieses went 2x4 with the Cardinals lone RBI.

-Springfield turned three double plays in the game, including a strike-out-throw-out double play that ended the eighth inning.

-The Cardinals have committed just one error in their last 11 games and lead the league with a .984 fielding percentage.

WHAT'S ON DECK:
-The Cardinals continue the trip in Arkansas on Friday at 7:10pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7 FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Harbell's Grill and Sports Bar Pregame Show.