The Springfield Cardinals picked up the game-tying run in the top half of the ninth inning, only to watch the Arkansas Travelers score the game-winner in the bottom of the inning, as the Travs picked up a 4-3 win on Saturday night at Ray Winder Field. 

The Cardinals dropped the first four games of the 2005 season at Ray Winder and are now 0-5 in Little Rock, while they are just 2-8 against the Travs overall.  Springfield is now 31-31 and seven games back of the Tulsa Drillers with eight games to play in the first half.

Arkansas got two early runs against Jeremy Cummings in the first inning.  With Reggie Willits at second base with no outs, Alberto Callaspo grounded the ball back to Cummings.  Willits got caught in a run-down between second and third and was eventually granted third base after the umpires declared that third baseman Travis Hanson caused interference.  Cardinals Manager came out to argue but ended up going back to the dugout frustrated with the call.  Mike Napoli capped the inning with a two-run double, giving the Travs a 2-0 lead.

The Cards finally got to Travs starter Steven Shell in the fifth.  Cody Haerther picked up his first career Double-A home run, bouncing one off the very top of the wall and over the fence in right-center field.  Trailing 2-1, Kevin Estrada doubled and later scored on Travis Hanson's RBI single, tying the game at 2-2 in the fifth.

In the bottom of the inning, the Travs regained the lead against Cummings.  Reggie Willits singled to open the inning, then stole second base.  Alberto Callaspo singled home Willits to make it 3-2.

The Cards had their chances, but finally got even in the ninth.  Aaron Herr earned a one-out walk off of Von Stertzbach (3-3).  Kevin Estrada then picked up a single to right field, moving Herr to third base.  Shaun Boyd followed with a deep drive down the right field line.  Arkansas right fielder Tommy Murphy made the catch in foul territory and then fired towards home.  The throw glanced off the glove of pitcher Von Stertzbach, allowing Herr to score easily and Estrada to advance al the way to third base.  Travis Hanson couldn't untie it, as he grounded out to end the ninth. 

In the bottom of the ninth, Jeremy Cook (2-3), who had retired six straight men since coming on in the seventh, got a groundout to open the inning.  However, David Gates and Mike Eylward would pick up consecutive singles to put runners at first and second with only one out.  With the runners moving, Pat Leahy grounded one to left field for the game-winning hit.

The Cardinals look to get back over the .500 mark on Sunday afternoon, sending Chris Lambert (0-2) to the mound against Arkansas' Delvin James (3-3).  Game time on Sunday afternoon is 2pm from Ray Winder Field in Little Rock.