TEXAS LEAGUE

Cardinals get rolling right away, turn back Travelers

Alberto Rosario’s threerun home run helped lift the Springfield Cardinals to a 6-1 victory over the Arkansas Travelers in front of an announced crowd of 7,698 on Friday night at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.

Rosario’s home run, which broke a scoreless tie in the second inning, came on an 0-1 pitch from Nate Smith after a walk to Anthony Garcia and a single by Aledmys Diaz.

The Cardinals pushed the lead to 4-0 in the sixth. Jonathan Rodriguez walked, Jeremy Hazelbaker singled to right and Garcia walked to load the bases. After Michael Brady came in to relieve Smith, Rodriguez scored when Diaz grounded out.

With two out in the seventh inning and Austin Adams pitching for the Travelers, Hazelbaker singled to right, scoring Charlie Tilson and Nick Martini to make it 6-0.

In the eighth, the Travs’ Drew Maggi scored on Brian Hernandez’s groundout to make it 6-1.

Arturo Reyes (1-1) pitched 52/3 scoreless innings for Springfield, striking out 4 and walking 2 to get the victory. Smith (3-4) lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing 4 runs, all earned, on 6 hits with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts.

Alex Mejia led the Cardinals by going 3 for 5. Hazelbaker went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.

NATURALS 3, DRILLERS 0

Jorge Bonifacio’s three-run home run in the third inning accounted for all the scoring as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals defeated the Tulsa Drillers in front of an announced crowed of 4,904 at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

With one out in the third inning, Terrance Gore walked. After Angel Franco struck out, Gore stole second and Raul Mondesi walked. Bonifacio hit a 1-1 pitch from Tulsa’s Jose De Leon over the leftfield wall.

The Naturals had one hit coming into the third inning and finished with five, including two by Bonifacio.

De Leon (0-1) pitched 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits with 8 strikeouts and 2 walks.

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