Springdale, AR – RHP J.C. Sulbaran and the 1st-Half North Division Champion Springfield Cardinals shut out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 2-0, before 4,733 fans at Arvest Ballpark on Saturday evening.
After Sulbaran (W, 2-1), a former Natural from 2012 – 15, posted a pair of perfect innings to start, Springfield (9-12, 50-41) gave him a lead to work with in the top of the third. Facing RHP Ashton Goudeau (L, 2-9), RF Nick Martini battled out a nine-pitch walk with one out. 2B Allen Staton then crushed a two-run home run to left field, his second long-ball in Double-A, lifting the Cardinals into the 2-0 lead.
Sulbaran continued his terrific start by retiring the first 10 batters that he faced and carrying the Cardinals through 6.2 scoreless innings to keep the two-run lead intact. He wrapped up with only two hits and one walk allowed, striking out five along the way.
RHP Rowan Wick took over with two on and two down in the seventh, and promptly retired the final out in the frame to navigate Springfield out of the jam. Wick then posted a 1-2-3 eighth, before giving way to RHP Josh Lucas (S, 11) for the ninth.
Lucas slammed the door with a perfect final frame, dealing back-to-back strikeouts to close the 2-0 shutout win for Springfield.
