SPRINGDALE --Springfield didn't take long to respond after Northwest Arkansas scored its only run in the seventh inning.
The Cardinals answered with three runs in the eighth and defeated the Naturals 5-1 Tuesday before a crowd of 3,732 at Arvest Ballpark. The loss ended a four-game winning streak for Northwest Arkansas (11-13), which returned home after going 5-2 on its most recent road swing.
The Naturals managed only six hits and wasted a strong pitching performance by Jake Junis, who struck out eight and allowed one run in six innings.
"We took some poor at-bats tonight," Northwest Arkansas manager Vance Wilson said. "I didn't like our focus, especially coming off four wins."
Paul DeJong had a home run and single for Springfield (14-11), which bunched together four singles in the eighth inning to regain the lead. The game was scoreless until the fifth inning when DeJong hit a long home run to left field off Junis. It was only the second home run for DeJong, who also connected against Arkansas last Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas tied the game in the seventh with the help of an infield single by Jack Lopez and a throwing error that allowed a run to score. Springfield regained a 4-1 lead in the eighth with the help of consecutive run-scoring singles from Bruce Caldwell and Luke Voit. The Cardinals added another run in the ninth while finishing with 11 hits.
Junis responded impressively after he allowed five runs on eight hits in 32/3 innings against the Cardinals last week. He faced 21 batters Tuesday and allowed three hits with one walk.
"We wasted an incredible start," Wilson said. "When your starting pitcher keeps you in a game like that, and you knock their starter out that early, we wasted a really good pitching performance."
Northwest Arkansas didn't do much with Springfield starter Andrew Morales, who left the game after he was hit by a hard grounder from Orlando Calixte to end the third inning. Morales left favoring his right shoulder after he underhanded the ball to retire Calixte at first base.
SHORT HOPS
• Springfield's roster includes former Hendrix College standout Collin Radack, who carried a .281 batting average entering Tuesday's game. Radack was selected by the Cardinals in the 20th round of the 2014 draft, the 615th overall pick.
• Northwest Arkansas caught a break to begin the seventh inning. Leadoff batter Frank Schwindel struck out but reached first base when an inside pitch eluded Springfield catcher Carson Kelly. Schwindel advanced to second base on a groundout and scored when shortstop Alex Mejia threw Jack Lopez' infield single past first base for an error.
• Fans attending Friday's game with Springfield can view the Kansas City Royals 2015 World Championship Trophy at Arvest Ballpark. The trophy will be available for viewing from 6-8 p.m. outside of the Sam's Club Community Room.
No personal photos will be allowed because of the crowds, but fans are encouraged to stop by and take a look.
On Deck: The series continues at 11:05 a.m. today with left-hander Eric Skoglund (1-0, 3.22 ERA) taking the mound for the Naturals against right-hander Corey Baker (1-0, 1.29 ERA) for the Cardinals.
Promotion: School kids day, where students from around the area receive discounted tickets.
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
On The Web: www.nwanaturals
Sports on 05/04/2016