Jonathan Rodriguez hit a three-run home run in the top of the 12th inning to give the Springfield Cardinals an 8-5 victory Thursday night over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in front of an announced crowd of 4,712 at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.
After Travis Tartamella popped to second and Charlie Tilson grounded to second, Rafael Ortega singled and Cody Stanley walked. Rodriguez then deposited a 1-0 pitch from Tripp Davis over the center field wall for the winning runs.
In the bottom of the 12th, Jorge Bonifacio grounded into a double play after Hunter Dozier walked. Juan Graterol grounded out out to end the game.
Springfield's Jeremy Berg (2-0) pitched the final 3 2/3 innings, allowing 1 hit with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts to get the victory. Davis (0-1), who pitched the final two innings for the Naturals, allowed 3 runs on 3 hits with 2 walks and 1 strikeout and took the loss.
The Cardinals forced extra innings in the ninth when Naturals reliever Mark Peterson gave up a two-out single to Greg Miclat which scored Patrick Wisdom to tie the game at 5-5.
Peterson opened the inning by giving up a base hit to Alex Mejia, who was replaced by pinch runner Breyvic Valera. Valera moved to second on David Popkins' sacrifice bunt, but was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Wisdom's single. Wisdom moved to second on the throw which set up Miclat's base hit.
The Naturals had a chance to win in the 10th when Bonifacio led off a with a single and stole second. Justin Trapp walked with two outs, but Graterol popped out on a bunt and Threlkeld struck out. Lane Adams then flied to right to end the inning.
The Naturals took a 5-4 lead in the eighth when on Mark Threlkeld's two-run home run to left-center off Lee Stoppleman.
The Cardinals took a 4-3 lead in the seventh when Miclat doubled down the left-field line to score Mejia. Tartamella grounded out to score Popkins, who moved to third on Miclat's double and Miclat scored on a wild pitch.
The Naturals scored three runs in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead on an RBI single by Bonifacio and Trapp's two-run single. Springfield took a 1-0 lead in the first when Stanley singled to drive in Tilson, who had reached on a throwing error by Trapp.
Bonifacio was 5 for 6 for the Naturals with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored. Ortega led the Cardinals by going 3 for 6. Rodriguez went 2 for 6 with a three-run home run. Stanley and Miclat each went 2 for 5.
Sports on 08/22/2014