Springfield scored all of its runs in the third and fourth innings and sent Arkansas to its first road defeat, 5-0, Thursday night in front of 3,422 fans at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.
The Cardinals (5-8) scored two in the third and three more in the fourth to end the Travelers' six-game road winning streak to start the season.
Springfield reached Arkansas starter Alan Busenitz (1-1) for all five runs. Charlie Tilson's one-out two run single in the third gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. The Travelers (8-5) avoided further damage in the inning when Cal Towey threw out Tilson at third base after an errant pickoff attempt by Busenitz.
Designated hitter Jonathan Rodriguez hit a two-run home run to left-center field on a 2-1 pitch to put the Cardinals ahead 4-0 in the fourth inning. Aledmys Diaz singled later in the inning to right center to score Breyvic Valera to make it 5-0.
Arkansas' Kramer Sneed relieved Busenitz in the bottom of the fifth and shut the Cardinals down on 2 hits and a walk while striking out 2 in 4 innings.
Springfield starter Thomas Lee (1-2) limited Arkansas to 6 hits -- all singles -- while striking out 6 in 7 innings.
Arkansas got two runners on in each the third and eighth innings with just one out. Chad Hinshaw lined into a double play to end the third, while Hinshaw struck out and Towey lined out to end the eighth-inning threat.
Sherman Johnson reached base three times for Arkansas on two singles and a walk. Drew Maggi added two hits for the Travelers.
Travs third baseman Brian Hernandez struck out all three times he faced Lee.
Valera, Rodriguez and Mike Ohlman led Springfield with two hits apiece in the team's nine-hit attack.
Sports on 04/24/2015