Travs walk off in wild opener against Cards, 9-6

North Little Rock, AR - A three-run home run from 3B Seth Mejias-Brean in the bottom of the ninth sent the Arkansas Travelers to the 9-6 walk-off win against the Springfield Cardinals before 3,247 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Thursday night. 2B Ramón Urías helped pace Springfield's offense going 3x4 with a two-run home run, two singles, three RBIs and a walk.

Springfield (18-13) jumped into a 6-1 lead through the first half of the ballgame, starting with Urias's two-run shot right out of the gates in the top of the first against RHP Andrew Moore. After the Travs plated an unearned run in the third, the Cardinals rebounded with an RBI single by DH Thomas Spitz, an RBI double from SS Tommy Edman and an RBI single from Urias in the fourth to open the lead to 5-1.

RF Randy Arozarena added the Cardinals sixth run with a solo shot lined over the left field fence in the fifth frame, his second homer and sixth RBI in just his fifth game with Springfield this season, making it a 6-1 lead.

However, the Travs (15-16) rallied back into the game with four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Two singles around a walk loaded the bases with no outs, before a run-scoring groundout from RF Beau Amaral. 1B Joey Curletta worked a walk to reload the bases and wrap up RHP Chris Ellis's outing, leading to RHP Ramon Santos taking over on the mound. SS Chris Mariscal, though, ripped an RBI single to left field before a two-run base knock from DH Dario Pizzano, shaving the Travelers deficit to just one run, 6-5.

Springfield escaped trouble with a pair of double plays to end sixth and seventh inning threats, but Arkansas found the tying run in the eighth. With the bases loaded and two away, LF Chuck Taylor lined a base hit to right field that brought home Mejias-Brean. C Joe Odom also tried to score on the play, but Arozarena threw him out at home for his second outfield assist of the game, ending the eighth with the game tied, 6-6.

RHP Matt Festa (W, 1-0) worked a scoreless top of the ninth, before the Travs dealt the final blow in the bottom of the ninth against RHP Hector Mendoza (L, 1-1). Mendoza, who had not allowed a run through his first 14.0 relief innings this year, started the frame with a strikeout but lost consecutive batters to walks. One out later, with two on and two down, Mejias-Brean pulled a three-run shot to left field, lifting the Travelers to the 9-6 walk-off win.

The series continues with a doubleheader in Arkansas on Friday, starting at 5:10pm. Catch all the action from 5:10 - 6pm on KBFL 1060AM/96.9FM, before the broadcast shifts to Jock 98.7 FM at 6pm. The doubleheader will also be aired live on SpringfieldCardinals.com.
Bark in the Park, Fans-on-Field Fireworks, Busch Stadium Exclusives Giveaways, Foodie Friday, On-Field Happy Hour and MORE coming in May!
The Cardinals return home on Friday, May 18, beginning a jam-packed schedule of promos, giveaways and theme nights for the second half of May!

Don't miss any of the upcoming fun, including:


GIVEAWAYS

- Saturday, May 19, 6:10 pm: Foundation Credit Union Red Cardinals Shirt Giveaway (2,000 fans)

- Sunday, May 20, 4:10 pm: Busch Stadium Exclusive St. Louis Cardinals Pet Treat Jar Giveaway (2,000 fans)

- Thursday, May 31, 7:10 pm: Busch Stadium Exclusive St. Louis Cardinals Replica 1968 National League Championship Ring (2,000 fans)


THEME NIGHTS

- Friday, May 18, 7:10 pm: Fans-on-Field Fireworks Featuring Time Machine Songs / Foodie Friday featuring All-You-Can-Eat Springfield Cashew Chicken

- Sunday, May 20, 4:10 pm: Purina Bark in the Park, where you can bring your Very Good Pup to the ballpark!

- Thursday, May 31, 7:10 pm: Pre-Game On-Field Happy Hour featuring stadium drink specials


FAN FAVORITES

- Sunday, May 20, 4:10 pm: Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday / Kids Run the Bases

- Tuesday, May 29, 6:30 pm: Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day

- Thursday, May 31, 7:10 pm: Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night

For information about organizing a Group Outing, becoming a Season Ticket Holder, booking a Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.
Click to book your 2018 Cardinals Baseball Experience!