Ogando keeps Cards at bay in 4-1 win for Naturals

August 21, 2018

SPRINGDALE, Ar. -- Naturals LHP Emilio Ogando allowed just one hit in 7.0 scoreless innings and carried his no-hitter through the first 6.0 frames, leading Northwest Arkansas to the 4-1 win against the Springfield Cardinals before 5,456 fans at Arvest Ballpark on Tuesday night.

Cardinals RHP Matt Pearce (L, 0-6) and Ogando (W, 11-6) dueled back and forth through the first 3.5 hitless frames before Northwest Arkansas (27-29, 62-64) swung in front in the bottom of the fourth. After Pearce put down his first 10 batters in a row, a walk from CF Nick Heath broke up the perfect game bid. 1B Samir Dueñez then connected for the first hit of the game from either team, a two-run shot to right-center that lifted the Naturals into the 2-0 lead.

The Naturals doubled up the advantage with two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. LF Alex Liddi singled to start the stanza, before racing all the way home when DH Kort Peterson sent a base hit to right field that led to an error on RF Johan Mieses when the ball bounced by him, enabling Liddi to score with Peterson reaching second. Pearce dug in with a groundout and a strikeout, but SS Erick Mejia knocked a two-out RBI single to left field to bring home Peterson and make it 4-0.

Ogando continued to keep the Cardinals (23-33, 56-70) at bay with 6.0 no-hit frames to start his night, before RF Johan Mieses broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff single to start the seventh. Ogando worked through the seventh without a run, before LHP Gabe Speier put in a scoreless eighth.

Speier retired the first two in a row to start the top of the ninth, but Mieses extended the game with a two-out single. A wild pitch moved Mieses to second, before 1B John Nogowski brought him home with an RBI base hit to get the Cardinals on the board. An error then allowed LF Victor Roache to reach, bringing up the tying run in CF Blake Drake. Drake got into one, driving a fly ball just in front of the warning track in right field, but RF Anderson Miller was there for the grab and the Naturals hung on for the 4-1 win.
Final Homestand features David Eckstein Bobbleheads, Three Fireworks Shows, Championship Steins, St. Louis Cardinals Ticket Vouchers and more Aug. 28 - Sept. 3
The Cardinals continue the final road trip of the season at 7:05pm on Wednesday in Northwest Arkansas. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7 FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, with an abbreviated Coyotes Sports Cafe Pregame Show starting at 7pm.

The Cardinals then return home for the final homestand of the 2018 Regular Season from Tuesday, August 28 - Monday, Sept. 3, featuring:

-Tuesday, August 28, 6:30pm - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Book Drive benefiting Springfield-Greene County Public Library and Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, August 29, 6:30pm - Purina Woof Wednesday with all dogs welcome at the ballpark. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Thursday, August 30, 7:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals 2019 Ticket for Two Voucher Giveaway (2,000), Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night and Pregame On-Field Happy Hour. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, August 31, 7:10pm - Friday Fireworks with Modern Juke Box Hits. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, Sept. 1, 6:10pm - Budweiser St. Louis Cardinals 1982 World Championship Beer Stein Giveaway (2,000, 21+), Specialty Teal Jersey Auction to benefit GYNCA and Fans-On-Field Fireworks & Kids Dance Party. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, Sept. 2, 6:10pm - Aaron Sachs & Associates David Eckstein First Batter Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000), Fireworks with Fan Request Music, Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Monday, Sept. 3, 12:15pm - Fan Appreciation Day Free Voucher for 2019 Springfield Cardinals Game for all fans. Gates open at 11:15am.

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 order your tickets and view the full 2018 Promotional Schedule.