Cardinals Toppled by Eight-Run 5th to Force Game Three

SPRINGFIELD, MO – The Arkansas Travelers scored eight runs in the top of the 5^th inning and held off a late Springfield charge as the Cards dropped Game 2 of the Texas League North Division Championship Series 9-6 on Thursday night at Hammons Field. A decisive Game 3 takes place on Friday, September 20 at Hammons Field at 6:35 pm.

Decisions:

W: Travis Kuhn (1-0)

L: Max Rajcic (0-1)

Notables:

• The Travs’ 8-run inning matched a season high for runs allowing in one frame for the Cardinals. Springfield surrendered an 8-run inning in the bottom of the 4^th on May 12 at NW Arkansas and lost that game 11-5.
• The 8 hits recorded by the Travelers in the 5^th represents the most in one inning allowed by the Birds in 2024.
• Bryan Torres and Leonardo Bernal each hit solo homers for the Cardinals. Springfield has out-homered the Travelers 4-0 in the series.
• Torres, Bernal, Jacob Buchberger and Noah Mendlinger each had multi-hit games for Springfield. Buchberger led the way with three hits.
• Zane Mills fired 4.0 scoreless innings for the Cardinals with 6 strikeouts, the most he’s had in a game in Double-A.
• After two games in the series, each team has scored 10 runs and the Cardinals have out-hit Arkansas 21-20.
• For the second straight year, the Cardinals and Travelers play a decisive game three in the North Division Championship Series. Springfield fell at Dickey-Stephens Park 14-1 in Game 3 last season.

On Deck:

• Texas League North Division Championship Series Game 3: SPR RHP Trent Baker (4-6, 4.89 ERA) vs ARK RHP Logan Evans (9-5, 3.20 ERA)
• Broadcast on Classic Rock 106.7, classicrock1067.fm, SpringfieldCardinals.com, and MiLB.TV

Jacob Buchberger comes through! An RBI knock into center gives Springfield the lead! pic.twitter.com/HaosLUeNJI

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 20, 2024