'Riders walk off, 5-4, in 10-inning back-and-forth battle

Frisco, TX - The Frisco RoughRiders claimed a hard-fought 5-4 win in 10 innings on Thursday, walking off on a throwing error in the bottom of the 10th before 7,719 fans at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Thursday night.

The RoughRiders (4-3, 28-49) swung in front in the bottom of the first with a two-run shot by rehabbing Texas Rangers C Carlos Pèrez, taking the 2-0 lead.

The Cardinals (1-6, 34-43), though, evened it in the top of the third. With runners at first and second and two away, C Andrew Knizner lined a two-run double inside the right field line, plating both runners to square the score at 2-2.

Springfield DH Chris Chinea then powered the Cardinals in front in the top of the fourth with a two-out solo home run, his ninth blast of the season, lifting the Cards into the 3-2 advantage.

RHP Connor Jones kept the narrow lead intact through his first six innings, but the big-leaguer Perez struck again the in seventh with a game-tying, two-out RBI double, evening it at 3-3.

The RoughRiders added another two-out run in the eighth inning against RHP Ramon Santos when DH Luis La O brought in CF Michael O'Neill with an RBI single, tilting the lead back in Frisco's direction, 4-3.

The Cardinals refused to go down without a fight, staging a comeback in the top of the ninth. Chinea led off with a walk before yielding to pinch-running OF Blake Drake on the bases. A sac bunt from SS Tommy Edman moved Drake to second, before a groundout advanced him to third. With the Cardinals down to their final out, CF Lane Thomas lined a game-tying RBI single to right field, scoring Drake to bring Springfield back even, 4-4, and keep the game alive.

LHP Jacob Evans worked through a scoreless bottom of the ninth, but the RoughRiders dealt the final blow in the bottom of the 10th against RHP Yeison Medina (L, 0-3). With the automatic runner, 1B Preston Beck, starting the inning at second base, O'Neill laid down a sacrifice bunt. 3B Evan Mendoza fielded the bunt but overthrew first base, allowing Beck to score from second on the play and sending Frisco to the 5-4 walk-off win in 10 frames.
Three Independence Day Fireworks Shows, July 4th Concert, Replica Red Batting Practice Jerseys, Mike & Tate Matheny Bobbleheads and much more July 4 - 9
The Cardinals continue the road trip in Frisco on Friday 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 to celebrate Independence Day with a huge homestand from Wednesday, July 4 - Monday, July 9, featuring:

-Wednesday, July 4, 6:30pm - Freedom Week Fans-On-Field Patriotic Fireworks Show and Postgame Concert featuring 'The Dirty Saints.' Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Thursday, July 5, 7:10pm - Great Southern Bank Replica Red Batting Practice Jersey Giveaway (2,000), Freedom Week Fireworks with Pure American Country Songs, Klement's $1 Bratwurst Night and Pregame On-Field Happy Hour. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, July 6, 7:10pm - Freedom Week Fireworks with American Love Songs and Foodie Friday Theme Ticket featuring All-You-Can-Eat Street Tacos and Chips and Salsa. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Saturday, July 7, 6:10pm - Hiland Dairy Mike & Tate Matheny STL/MSU Dual Bobblehead Giveaway (2,000) and Missouri Lottery Baseball Bingo. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, July 8, 6:10pm - Grandparents Day with Pregame On-Field Photos from 5:10 - 5:40pm, Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday with free pregame ice cream for kids and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Monday, July 9, 6:30pm - Monday Night Baseball vs. Midland RockHounds. Gates open at 5:30pm.

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 for the full 2018 Promotional Schedule and to order your tickets right now.