Northwest Arkansas Naturals Nip Springfield Cardinals 5-4 - AA, Texas League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - SPRINGFIELD - Tyler Greene had a career-night for Springfield, but in the end it was a 5-4 come-from-behind Northwest Arkansas win over the Cardinals which overshadowed his big night at Hammons Field on Saturday. 

A two-run eighth inning, highlighted by a steal of home as part of a double-steal for the Naturals, was the difference in the game. 

Trailing 4-3 in the top of the eighth, Naturals’ catcher Adam Donachie took Cards’ reliever Scott Vander Weg (1-1) deep with two outs in the inning, tying the game at 4-4.    Jose Duarte followed with a single, then stole second to move into scoring position.  Irving Falu then struck out on a pitch in the dirt, which bounced wildly away from catcher Matt Pagnozzi.  Falu reached first safely on the wild pitch, while Duarte advanced to third.  With Mario Lisson at the plate, Falu intentionally got hung up between first and second.  After checking on Duarte at third, catcher Matt Pagnozzi threw down to second baseman Jose Martinez.  Duarte broke for home on the throw to second and scored ahead of Pagnozzi’s tag, after

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Martinez’s return throw to the plate. 

Tim Hamulack retired all five batters he faced to shut the door on Springfield, earning his second save of the series.

Springfield scored the game’s first four runs, thanks to a career-night from shortstop Tyler Greene. 

Greene led off the game with a homer, the first Cardinal to do so since Colby Rasmus in 2007, as Springfield took a 1-0 lead against Naturals’ starter Dan Cortes. 

He launched another bomb in the third, this one to straight-away center field, his 13th of the year, as the Cards took a 2-0 advantage.

With Casey Rowlett at first with a one-out single in the fifth, Greene struck again, this time with an RBI triple to right field, making it a 3-0 game.  Jose Martinez scored Greene from third with a sac fly to left-center field, making it 4-0. 

Cards’ starter Tyler Herron was solid through five innings, but got taken deep in the sixth, as the Naturals got a two-run homer from Ed Lucas, cutting Springfield’s lead to 4-2.  Those were the only two runs Herron allowed, as he worked 5 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs on four hits in the no-decision. 

Duarte homered to left in the seventh off Jonathan Mikrut making it a 4-3 game. 

Naturals’ reliever Chris Hayes (2-1) picked up the win, working a scoreless frame. 

Allen Craig was unable to set a record, as he saw his 15-game hit streak come to an end with an 0-for-4 effort.  Craig and Aaron Herr (2005) are the only Cardinals in franchise history to hit in 15 straight games.

Springfield (10-10) will look to salvage a split of the four-game series on Sunday in the final game of the set.  The Redbirds will send Adam Ottavino (1-4) to the mound against Blake Woods (2-3) of the Naturals.  Sunday is a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and kids “Run the Bases” after the game, thanks to the Killian Group of Companies.  Sunday is also Children’s Miracle Network Day at Hammons Field.  Gates open at 5:10pm and game time on Sunday is 6:10pm.  Tickets are available for all regular season games at Hammons Field by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com.  

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