The Springfield Cardinals won their third straight game on Saturday night, besting the Wichita Wranglers by a final score of 3-1 in the opening game of a five-game series from Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Wichita.

Cards starter Mark Nussbeck, who made his first start for the Cardinals and his first appearance since being sent down from Triple-A Memphis, turned in a much-needed six innings of work.  The right-hander allowed just one run on five hits, while striking out five men on the night. 

The Wranglers finally got to Nussbeck for a run in the fourth, as Josh Pressley opened the inning with a double, then scored on Billy Butler's RBI single, giving Wichita a 1-0 lead.

The Cards, who grounded into double-plays to end both the third and fifth innings, were held in check by Wranglers starter Derrin Ebert for six innings. 

In the seventh, Ebert walked Rick Ankiel on a 3-2 pitch to open the inning, and would consequently be removed from the game.  The Wranglers brought Chris Demaria out of the bullpen, who hadn't yet allowed a run in five outings since arriving in Double-A.  Demaria (0-1) struck out Brad Cresse for the first out of the inning, but ran into trouble after that.  Cody Haerther was called upon to pinch-hit for Ty Parker, and saw just one pitch.  Haerther hammered the first Demaria offering down the right field line over the wall for a two-run blast, his third in two nights, giving the Cards a 2-1 lead.  Haerther's homer is his ninth in a Springfield uniform and 17th overall this year.  Two batters later, Shaun Boyd hit a solo shot to left-center, upping the Cards advantage to 3-1. 

Nussbeck (2-0) was replaced by Alan Benes, who allowed two singles in the seventh, but managed to work around them for a scoreless frame.  Andy Cavazos worked a scoreless eighth, then turned it over to Cory Doyne, who made his third appearance in the last three nights.  Doyne allowed a two-out triple to Mitch Maier, but came back to strike out Wilkin Ruan to end it.  For Doyne, he picks up his team-leading 18th save of the year and his third in three nights.

Despite Springfield's third straight win, the Cards remain 5.5 out behind Arkansas, who scored seven runs in the ninth inning at Tulsa to come back from a four-run ninth-inning deficit.  After Arkansas' 12-9 over Tulsa, the Travs' magic number is now just three.  The Cards improve to 29-32 and are now tied for second place with the Wranglers.  Springfield and Wichita will play a double-header on Sunday afternoon with game one starting at 2pm.  Jordan Pals (6-11) goes in game one for the Cards, while Kyle Middleton (10-8) throws for Wichita.  Game two starters have not yet been officially named.