The Northwest Arkansas Naturals started a series in Springfield, Mo., with a familiar score.
The Naturals defeated the Cardinals 5-3 — the third straight game to end in that score — behind two hits from catcher Ben Theriot and first baseman Eric Hosmer at Hammons Field.
Tim Smith’s RBI bloop double in the eighth inning broke a 3-3 tie, and Hosmer drove in Theriot with a bases-loaded single in the ninth to set the final score.
Theriot put the Naturals up 2-0 with a RBI single in the second inning and gave them a 3-0 lead with a RBI single in the fourth.
Naturals starter Alex Caldera retired the first 11 batters he faced before a walk and a home run put Springfield on the board in the fourth. The Cardinals tied it at 3 with a bases-loaded walk in the fifth.
Rowdy Hardy (3-1, 4.50 ERA) got the win with 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief work. Barrera earned his first save, allowing one hit in two scoreless innings.
ON DECK: The series at Hammons Field continues at 6:10 p.m. today. The teams have a doubleheader Sunday and a game Monday before the Naturals begin a seven-game homestand Tuesday.
ON THE WEB: www.nwanaturals.com.
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE: Today’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.