The Springfield Cardinals overcame a 3-0 deficit Friday night to beat the Arkansas Travelers 6-3 in front of an announced crowd of 9,138 at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.
Trailing 3-0 going into the bottom of the sixth, Curt Smith hit a home run to left field off Drew Rucinski to close it to 3-1.
The Cardinals took the lead for good in the seventh with three runs.
Breyvic Valera's two-run single to right-center field off Kevin Johnson scored Patrick Wisdom and Matt Williams to tie the game at 3-3. Carmine Giardina relieved Johnson and got Cody Stanley to ground into a fielder's choice to first as the Travelers couldn't turn a double play. Travis Tartamella scored to give the Cardinals a 4-3 lead.
In the eighth, Alex Mejia and Wisdom hit consecutive home runs with two outs off Giardina to give the Cardinals a 6-3 advantage.
The Travelers opened the game with a two-out walk to Brian Hernandez and a two-run home run by Mike Bianucci off Kurt Heyer.
The Travelers made it 3-0 in the second when Michael Snyder doubled, moved to third on Adam Melker's single to right and scored on Eric Stamets' sacrifice fly.
Johnson (3-4) took the loss, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits while facing just 4 hitters in the seventh in relief of Rucinski.
Heyer (5-11) allowed 3 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings with 6 strikeouts and 2 walks. Mitch Harris pitched the last two innings to get his first save of the season.
Melker led the Travelers by going 3 for 4. Snyder and Bianucci both had two hits.
Valera led the Cardinals by going 3 for 4. Wisdom went 2 for 3 for the Cardinals.
Sports on 08/30/2014