Arkansas Travelers Rally Falls Short in 8-7 Loss to Springfield Cardinals

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Springfield, MO - The Travs made up a four-run deficit and had players with two home runs and four base hits on Tuesday night, yet still lost 8-7 to the Cardinals in the opener of their seven-game road trip.  Brian Stavisky continued his torrid stretch with two dingers (11) and four RBI, while Wil Ortiz collected four hits and scored two runs.  Stavisky's second homer gave the Travs a 6-4 lead in the seventh inning but Cody Haerther hit a game-tying homer (1) for the Redbirds and started a game-ending double play from his left-field spot.Cody Haerther hit a game-tying homer (1) for the Redbirds and started a game-ending double play from his left-field spot.

Once again the Travs played from far behind early in the game as Springfield scored four runs in the first inning.  Bobby Mosebach started the game with consecutive walks then a bloop single loaded the bases.  Mark Shorey ripped the next pitch inside the right-field line for a two-run double, then Andrew Brown singled past first base chasing two more runs in for a 4-0 Springfield lead.

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After Springfield starting pitcher Tyler Herron kept the Travs from scoring in two innings, they were given a gift in the third inning.  They got runners to first and third on a walk to Coby Smith and a single by Ortiz.  With two outs, Herron faked a throw to third pulling Ortiz off first base.  Ortiz continued to run to second base as Smith crept down the third base line and took off for home.  The Cards caught Smith in a pickle, and he streaked for the plate scoring when Herron dropped a throw.

Two more runs inched the Travs closer in the fifth inning.  Smith hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Ortiz dropped a single into left field.  Chris Pettit followed with a single moving Ortiz to second base and he scored when Corey Smith ripped a two-out single to left.

Springfield had RHP Scott Vander Weg relieve Herron in the sixth and he struck out the side leaving the tying run at second base.  But the Travs knocked Vander Weg out of the seventh inning and took the lead.  Ortiz collected his fourth base hit, a leadoff single then Pettit was hit by a pitch while squaring around to bunt.  Stavisky got ahead 2-0 and crushed the next offering over the centerfield fence for a three-run homer and a 6-4 Travs lead.

After twirling five consecutive innings without a run, Mosebach couldn't hold the lead in the bottom of the seventh.  A one-out walk to Casy Rowlett brought the tying run to the plate, and Cody Haerther blasted a 2-0 pitch over the wall in left-center to tie the game, at 6-6.

Andrew Brown began the eighth with a single off Travs reliever Rafael Rodriguez (1-3).  Brown took second base when Rodriguez's pickoff throw was botched for an error, then Isa Garcia walked.  The runners moved up on a Jose Martinez sacrifice bunt and Brown scored when Matt Pagnozzi lofted a sacrifice fly.  Casey Rowlett's two-out single knocked in Garcia for an 8-7 Springfield lead.

Cards closer Fernando Salas (18th save) came on for the ninth and Stavisky hammered him for a one-out solo homer.  Then the tying run reached base when Corey Smith singled to center.  With the Cardinals' outfield playing back, Haerther caught Nate Sutton's liner and fired to Martinez who doubled Smith off first to end the game.

Time of game was 2:56 and the paid attendance was 5,157.

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