Springfield, MO – The Springfield Cardinals took the homestand opener against the Midland RockHounds, 5-3, before 3,902 fans at Hammons Field on Wednesday night.
Springfield RHP Matt Pearce (W, 9-5) dominated through a pair of perfect innings to start, but Midland (3-10, 38-45) broke through in the top of the third. Leading off the frame, LF Tyler Ramirez slugged a solo home run to right field, opening the early 1-0 RockHounds lead.
Pearce got right back on track with a scoreless fourth, before Springfield (7-6, 42-41) swung in front in the bottom of the fourth against RHP Casey Meisner (L, 0-2). With two away, LF Randy Arozarena worked a walk to extend the inning. C Andrew Knizner then pulled a two-run home run to left field, his first-career Double-A long ball, lifting the Cardinals into the 2-1 lead.
After Midland tied it with a solo shot from CF B.J. Boyd in the top of the fifth, the Cardinals catapulted right back into the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Rehabbing St. Louis Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong started the rally with a double, before 3B Jacob Wilson worked a walk. With two on, DH Bruce Caldwell hammered a three-run home run to right-center field, propelling the Cardinals into the 5-2 lead.
Pearce followed with scoreless work in the sixth and seventh, but the RockHounds added one final homer in the eighth. With one away, 3B Jordan Tarsovich drove a solo home run to left field, bringing Midland within two runs, 5-3.
After the homer in the eighth, LHP Corey Littrell and RHP Corey Baker (S, 5) combined for 1.2 scoreless innings to close the 5-3 win for Springfield.
