Chris Carpenter Allows Just One Hit in Four Innings of Work in Rebab Start for Springfield Cardinals

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Springfield, MO - Tyler Greene’s solo home run to lead off the eighth inning put Springfield ahead to stay, as the Cardinals beat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals by a score of 4-1 on Sunday evening, in front of a sold-out crowd at Hammons Field. 

St. Louis Cardinals’ right-hander Chris Carpenter headlined Sunday’s contest, working four scoreless innings for a season-high 8,743 fans in attendance. 

Carpenter, making his first appearance since having Tommy John surgery in July of 2007, allowed one hit, but walked four and struck out four, throwing 62 total pitches.  Carpenter left after four innings in a scoreless game, handing the ball off to Kyle Mura out of the Springfield bullpen. 

Northwest Arkansas broke up the scoreless tie, getting on the board in the sixth inning.  Ovandy Suero reached on a two-out bunt single with the bases loaded, scoring Mario Lisson from third base for a 1-0 lead. 

Allen Craig answered against Naturals’ starter Rowdy Hardy in the bottom of the inning, poking one down the left-field line for a solo homer.  His team-leading 18th home run of the year tied the game at 1-1.

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Hardy worked through seven full innings, allowing just one run on five hits before turning it over to Tim Hamulack, who didn’t fare nearly as well.  Hamulack (0-1) gave up Greene’s 16th of the year to open the eighth, as the Cards took a 2-1 lead.  Jon Jay followed with a single before Craig doubled, putting runners at second and third with no outs.  Cody Haerther’s ground ball to second baseman Irving Falu plated Jay, as Falu’s throw was late, making it 3-1.  Craig scored on an Isa Garcia sac fly, rounding out the scoring at 4-1. 

Fernando Salas came out of the bullpen to work a scoreless ninth, netting him his league-leading 17th save of the year. 

Mura earned his third win since joining the club from Palm Beach just two weeks ago.  Mura (3-1) allowed one run on three hits over four innings.

The victory for the Redbirds (17-12) is their fifth straight, giving them a one-game lead over the Naturals (16-13) in the North Division.  The Cardinals look for the four-game sweep on Monday night, as they send left-hander Justin Fiske (0-0) to the mound against Naturals’ right-hander Julio Pimentel (4-9).

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