The Springfield Cardinals held on for an exciting 5-3 win over the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday night at Hammons Field.  The win for the Redbirds was the fourth in six games on the home stand, bringing the Cards to within just four games of first-place Arkansas in the East Division.

Stuart Pomeranz dominated for the second consecutive start, winning his second straight game over the Riders.  Pomeranz (4-5) lasted seven innings, allowing just two runs on five hits in getting the victory.

The Cards got the early lead in the first inning as Rick Ankiel’s RBI infield single chased home Shaun Boyd for a 1-0 lead. 

The Riders answered with a run in the second and another in the third, as the Riders took the lead at 2-1.  Jason Hart collected an RBI single in the second to tie the game at 1-1.  In the third, it was an RBI groundout from Vincent Sinisi, bringing home Jace Brewer to give the Riders the lead.

The lead didn’t last long though, as Tyler Minges and Aaron Herr pulled off back-to-back home runs against Frisco starter John Danks (3-8), giving the Cards a 3-2 lead they’d never relinquish.  For Minges, his two-out solo shot was his 19th, extending his career-high.  Herr followed with his team-leading 21st, also adding to his career-best. 

The Cards added a pair of runs in the sixth against Frisco reliever Augustin Montero.  Papo Bolivar opened the inning with a double and eventually scored from third on a wild pitch, giving Springfield a 4-2 lead.  Brendan Ryan then reached with a one-out infield single, his first of two hits on the night.  Shaun Boyd’s RBI groundout scored Ryan from third with the Cards’ final run, making it 5-3.

Andy Cavazos got the first two outs of the eighth, but allowed back-to-back hits, bringing the tying run to the plate.  Cory Doyne was then summoned from the bullpen and hit Seth Taylor to load the bases.  Cameron Coughlan then dropped a pinch-hit single to left field, scoring Joaquin Arias to make it a two-run game at 5-3.  Doyne would get out of the frame though, getting Jason Hart to pop up to Brendan Ryan at short, ending the inning.

In the ninth, Doyne got the first two outs, but got into trouble with a pair of two-out walks.  With the tying runs aboard, Joaquin Arias lined out to right fielder Rick Ankiel for the third and final out, giving Doyne his 14th save of the year. 

The Cardinals look to wrap up the seven-game home stand with a win on Wednesday afternoon in the series finale.  Springfield is now 23-28, just four games back of Arkansas in the East Division.  Bill Pulsipher (0-0) will make his Springfield debut after just being sent down from Triple-A Memphis.  Frisco will counter with left-hander Ron Mahay (0-0), making just his second appearance for the Riders.  Wednesday is a “Business Person’s Special” with a special start time of 12:40pm, sponsored by Delta Connection and the Springfield Branson Regional Airport.  Four lucky fans will win round-trip airfare and 2,500 fans will receive a free Cardinals Jersey Koozie thanks to Delta Connection and the Springfield Branson Regional Airport.  Gates open at 11:40am and game time is 12:40pm.  Tickets are still available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com.