The Springfield Cardinals scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back as they won 7-3 over the Arkansas Travelers on Thursday night in front of an announced crowd of 5,630 at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.
The Travs' lead in the Texas League North Division fell to one game over the Cardinals with Thursday's loss. Their magic number to clinch the North's second-half title remained at four games with three games left in the regular season beginning tonight against Northwest Arkansas at Dickey-Stephens Park.
The Cardinals scored the five runs on four hits, highlighted by a two-out grand slam from right fielder David Washington on the first pitch he saw from Travs starter Christopher Ellis. Charlie Tilson started the inning with a double to right-center field and advanced to third on Mike O'Neill's groundout. He scored on a Nick Martini double to right field, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. Jonathan Rodriguez singled to left field and Mike Ohlman walked after a Bruce Caldwell strikeout to load the bases for Washington.
Springfield added to its lead in the fourth inning when Tilson tripled down the right-field line and scored on a single by O'Neill for a 6-0 lead.
Arkansas scored in the top of the sixth inning when Chad Hinshaw reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on Blake Gailen's double. Hinshaw scored on Brian Hernandez's groundout, cutting the lead to 6-1.
Gailen finished 2 for 3 and was the only Travelers player to finish with multiple hits.
Tilson, who went 3 for 4, scored in the seventh inning on a passed ball by Travelers catcher Anthony Bemboom to increase Springfield's lead to 7-1. The Travelers mounted a late rally, scoring two runs in the ninth inning to provide the final margin.
Sports on 09/04/2015