WRANGLERS NOW 3 UP ON CARDS

The Wichita Wranglers took the final game of the five-game series, beating the Springfield Cardinals by a final of 8-5 on Saturday night at Hammons Field. 

Wichita rallied for five runs in the top of the eighth inning, snapping the Cards two-game winning streak, giving Wichita a three-game lead over Springfield in the East Division.

Cards starter Jordan Pals was outstanding, leaving with a 5-2 lead.  Pals allowed two runs in seven innings, just one earned on only three hits.  The bullpen struggled however, allowing six runs in just two innings of work.

Trailing 5-2 in the eighth, the Wranglers scored five times to eventually take the lead at 7-5.  Josh Axelson and Anthony Rawson combined to face three batters and were unable to retire any of the three.  Chris Mears (0-2) came out of the pen and was knocked around for three runs on three hits.  Justin Huber’s two-run single off of Mears made it 5-4.  After a walk to Josh Pressley put runners at first and second, Brennan King produced an RBI double, tying the game at 5-5.  An error on the throw back to the infield allowed Pressley to score, as the Wranglers took the lead at 6-5.  Mike Aviles capped the inning with an RBI single, making it 7-5. 

The Wranglers added another run in the ninth inning against Oscar Alvarez.  Mel Stocker tripled then scored on a Shane Costa RBI single, making it 8-5.

Trailing 1-0 in the third, Springfield scored three times to take a 3-1 lead.  Kevin Estrada singled and eventually scored on a ground ball by Brendan Ryan, tying the game at 1-1.  Tyler Minges and Travis Hanson both came up with two-out RBI hits, making it 3-1.

After Wichita got an unearned run in the sixth, the Cards responded with a run in the bottom of the inning.  Tyler Minges doubled, his third hit of the night, then scored on an Aaron Herr single, making it 4-2.  Shaun Boyd tripled and scored on a Brendan Ryan sac fly in the seventh, putting the Cards up 5-2 against Wichita starter and eventual winner Brian Bass (9-4). 

Wichita’s Barry Armitage worked a scoreless ninth inning for his sixth save of the year.

The Cardinals open a new series against the Arkansas Travelers on Sunday afternoon at Hammons Field.  Randy Leek (10-5) throws for the Cardinals, while Arkansas will counter with Kasey Olenberger.  Sunday night is Reliable RV Rally Towel Giveaway with a Salute to America’s Heroes.  Sunday is also a Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday as kids 15 and under will enjoy free ice cream before the game.  Gates open at 5:10pm and game time is 6:10pm.  Tickets are available at (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com