CARDINALS TAKE OPENING SERIES OVER NATURALS WITH SUNDAY WIN.

Springfield, MO ­– Despite Jake Means connecting on the first home run of the season for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Naturals could not find a lead against the Springfield Cardinals Sunday afternoon, dropping the rubber match of the three game series, 10-5.

After starter Angel Zerpa pitched just two innings, right-hander Zach Haake made his Double-A debut and offered four innings of relief, surrendering just three runs without walking a batter. Zach Willeman followed Haake with two scoreless innings of relief himself, only allowing one hit and one walk. Combined, however, the Naturals pitching staff did not record a strikeout for just the second time in franchise history and the first time since June 7, 2015 at San Antonio.

Means started the scoring for the Naturals in the second inning, lofting a two-run homer to right field that brought the Naturals within a run, a 3-2 score at the time. After the Cardinals countered with four more in the second, the Naturals added two more in the third on an RBI groundout from John Rave and sacrifice fly from Michael Massey.

Springfield added three more runs of insurance in the fifth to bring their total on the day to ten, while the Naturals’ last run of the afternoon came in the seventh on a sac fly from Rave.

Seuly Matias went 2-for-4, his third consecutive multi-hit game to open the season. Mans and Tucker Bradley each added two-hit games, with Bradley doubling in his Double-A debut.

Left-hander Asa Lacy is expected to make his Double-A debut when the Naturals play their first home game of the season on Tuesday, at 7:05 pm CT at Arvest Ballpark.