Naturals battle back for 8-6 win on Wednesday

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals dug out of an early hole for the 8-6 comeback win against the Springfield Cardinals before 2,909 fans at Arvest Ballpark on Wednesday night.

The Cardinals (29-29) jumped in front in the top of the second with a bases-loaded, two-out RBI single from 2B Tommy Edman and a run-scoring wild pitch from LHP Foster Griffin, opening the 2-0 advantage.

After a two-run shot from LF Anderson Miller in the bottom of the second tied it, Springfield reclaimed the lead in the top of the third. With two outs, LF Victor Roache singled and DH Granden Goetzman walked, extending the inning for 1B Chris Chinea. Chinea promptly powered a three-run home run to right field, propelling the Cardinals ahead, 5-2.

An RBI triple from 3B Evan Mendoza in the top of the fourth stretched the Springfield lead to its largest point, 6-2.

However, the Naturals began chipping away with a two-run homer from 1B Alex Liddi in the bottom of the fourth, the final frame for RHP Mike O'Reilly.

With the Cardinals hanging on to a 6-4 lead and RHP Ramon Santos on the mound, the Naturals (28-30) tied it in the bottom of the sixth. With one on and two down, 3B Jecksson Flores pulled an RBI double to left field. C Nathan Esposito then struck out on a wild pitch that bounced away from C Jeremy Martinez, allowing Esposito to reach base and Flores to score all the way from second base, tying the game at 6-6.

Northwest Arkansas then seized their first lead of the night in the bottom of the seventh against LHP Jacob Evans (L, 0-4). With two on and one away, RF Elier Hernandez sliced a two-run single to swing the Naturals ahead, 8-6.

Northwest Arkansas then received scoreless relief in the eighth from RHP Michael Mariot before a scoreless ninth from RHP Jake Newberry (S, 9), closing the 8-6 win for the Naturals.
Super-Soft Baby Blue T-Shirts, Military Appreciation Fireworks, Orange Camo Caps, "YADI" Tumblers and more from June 9 - 16
The Cardinals continue the series in NW Arkansas on Thursday at 7:05pm. 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 then returns home for a huge homestand from Saturday, June 9 - Saturday, June 16. Don't miss any of the fun, including:

-Saturday, June 9, 6:10pm - Mercy Super-Soft Baby Blue T-Shirt Giveaway (2,000), Infuze Credit Union / Fort Leonard Wood Military Appreciation Night & Fireworks Celebration and Specialty Camo Jersey Auction for MSU ROTC. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, June 10, 6:10pm - Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Monday, June 11, 11:10am - Day Baseball at Hammons Field and Discovery Center Science Experiments Educational Day. Gates open at 10:10am.

-Tuesday, June 12, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, June 13, 6:30pm - Purina Woof Wednesday with dogs welcome at the ballpark and Wear Your Favorite Jersey Wednesday. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Thursday, June 14, 7:10pm - Ozark Fence Orange Camo Cap Giveaway (2,000), Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night, Pregame On-Field Happy Hour. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, June 15, 7:10pm - Friday Night Fireworks featuring The Name Game. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, June 16, 6:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals "YADI" Tumbler Giveaway (2,000). Gates open at 6:10pm.

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.
Click here to view the full 2018 Promotional Schedule.