Andy Ferguson's strong start wasn't enough for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Wednesday night.
Ferguson scattered 8 hits in 8 innings and struck out 5, but the Springfield Cardinals beat the Naturals 2-1 in front of an announced crowd of 2,952 at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.
Northwest Arkansas took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on Orlando Calixte's RBI single but that was it for the Naturals, who managed only four hits the rest of the game after having three in the first inning.
The Cardinals tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning. Rafael Ortega singled to center field off Ferguson and drove in Jonathan Rodriguez.
Springfield took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning when Alex Mejia hit a 1-0 pitch from Ferguson to left field for his second home run of the season.
Cardinals starter Kyle Hald (10-4) allowed 1 run on 6 hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked three.
Joey Donofrio earned his 12th save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth.
Ferguson fell to 11-10. The right-hander entered Wednesday's game second in the Texas League in victories with 11 and had a 2.96 ERA.
Angel Franco led the Naturals offensively, going 2 for 4.
Mejia and David Popkins each went 2 for 3 to lead Springfield, which outhit Northwest Arkansas 8-7.
Sports on 08/21/2014