SPRINGDALE -- Springfield used a little two-out magic combined with solid pitching to down Northwest Arkansas 9-1 in front of 6,965 fans on Star Wars Night on Friday night at Arvest Ballpark.
Victor Roache hit a three-run home run off Naturals reliever Jacob Bodner to cap a five-run eruption by the Cardinals (15-11) in the top of the fifth inning for a 7-1 lead. That was Roache's eighth homer of the season, tying San Antonio teammates Austin Allen and Josh Naylor for the league lead.
Springfield scored six two-out runs in the game, including five in the fifth inning.
Springfield opened up a 4-1 lead with a pair of two-out runs in the fifth against Naturals starter Foster Griffin (2-3). Blake Drake doubled into the left-center field gap to drive in a run and Ramon Urias followed with a single that deflected off the glove of Northwest Arkansas shortstop Nicky Lopez to add another.
Drake and Roache drove in three runs apiece, while four different Cardinals added two hits each.
The Cardinals scored twice to take a 2-1 lead in the third, but managed to hit just one ball out of the infield. Drake drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in a run and another scored on a double-play grounder by Urias.
Springfield starter Chris Ellis (2-0) allowed a run on five hits over five innings of work to pick up his second win in less than two weeks over Northwest Arkansas. He allowed a run over six innings in Springfield's 6-5 win on April 23.
Cardinals relievers Ramon Santos and Ian McKinney threw two scoreless innings apiece.
Northwest Arkansas (9-18) scored its only run on two-out RBI-double by Anderson Miller for a 1-0 lead in the second.
Short Hops
• Springfield improved to 6-0 against left-handed starting pitchers with the win Friday against Griffin.
• Lopez went 2-for-3 with a walk, while Miller added two hits.
• Naturals reliever Jake Kalish threw 3.1 scoreless innings. The left-hander allowed two hits, struck out four and did not walk a batter.
On Deck: The Naturals begin a four-game series today in Little Rock against the Arkansas Travelers and will send RHP Zach Lovvorn to the mound. The Travelers have not named a starting pitcher. First pitch is slated for 5:30 p.m.
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On The Web: www.nwa naturals.com
Sports on 05/05/2018