Springfield, MO – LHP Austin Gomber dealt 7.0 dominant innings to help lead the Springfield Cardinals to the 2-0 shutout win against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals before the sellout crowd of 8,186 fans at Hammons Field. It marked the second straight sellout to start the four-game series.
The Cardinals (26-16, 61-51) seized the early lead in the bottom of the second against LHP Jake Kalish (L, 0-7). LF Randy Arozarena led off with an infield single, before taking second on a wild pitch. After 2B Darren Seferina worked a walk to reach first, Kalish battled back with a strikeout for the frame’s first out. A fielder’s choice by SS Tommy Edman advanced Arozarena to third base, but retired Seferina at second, setting up runners at the corners with two away. RF Magneuris Sierra then came through with an RBI infield single placed to the left side of the infield, plating Arozarena for the 1-0 lead for Springfield.
Following a third consecutive scoreless inning from Cardinals LHP Austin Gomber (W, 6-7), Springfield added to the advantage in the bottom of the third. C Andrew Knizner started the stanza with a double to deep right field, followed quickly by an RBI double from 1B John Nogowski to score Knizner for the 2-0 lead.
Gomber kept the lead intact with 7.0 shutout innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out seven in the dominant outing. It marks the sixth time in his last nine starts that Gomber has dealt at least 7.0 frames.
The trio of RHP Tyler Bray, LHP Jacob Evans and RHP Landon Beck (S, 3) each tossed two-thirds of an inning out of the bullpen, combining to blank the Naturals (16-26, 55-57) through the final two innings and nail down the 2-0 shutout win for Springfield.
