Bases Loaded Walk in 9th Wins Game for Cards

July 23, 2012|Springfield Cardinals

Springfield, MO- Springfield scores twice in the 9th on a pinch-hit RBI double by Jamie Romak and a game winning bases loaded walk to Oscar Taveras to beat NW Arkansas 5-4 and sweep the Naturals in the series.

The Cardinals had righty Richard Castillo on the mound looking to rebound after a tough start against Michael Mariot of the Naturals.

Springfield wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as the Redbirds scored two first inning runs on a Xavier Scruggs two-run homer to take a 2-0 lead.

Castillo escaped a 2nd inning jam with a double play, but ran into more trouble in the 4th. Back to back singles started the frame to put runners on the corners and a one out single from Kevin Kouzmanoff to bring the score to 2-1. After the second out was made, Carlo Testa launched a three-run homer to center field to give the Naturals their first lead since Friday, 4-2.

The Cardinals wasted a couple of scoring chances as they left the bases loaded in the 3rd, runners on the corners in the 4th and a man at third in the 5th against Mariot.

Castillo battled through six innings allowing the four runs in the 4th on seven total hits with three strikeouts.

In the 8th, Springfield pulled to within a run as Greg Garcia legged out a fielder's choice with the bases load to make the score 4-3.

In the 9th, Adam Melker led off with a single and would score the tying run on Jamie Romak's pinch-hit RBI double. Kolten Wong reached on an error to put runners on the corners and Jermaine Curtis was intentionally walked to load the bases. Oscar Taveras came to the plate and saw only one strike before drawing a walk from reliever Jon Keck to win the game 5-4 and complete a four game sweep of NW Arkansas.

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