Early runs enough for Cardinals against Travs

TEXAS LEAGUE

CARDINALS 5, TRAVELERS 2

Five runs in the first three innings proved to be enough for the Springfield Cardinals on Friday night in a 5-2 victory over the Arkansas Travelers before an announced crowd of 4,794 at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.

The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Yariel Gonzalez doubled down the left-field line before Johan Mieses followed with a two-run home run to left-center field with two outs.

In the second inning, Springfield’s Elehuris Montero hit a home run over the right-center field wall to make it 3-0.

In the third inning, Kramer Robertson led off with a single up the middle and stole second. Rayder Ascanio then hit a home run to left to give the Cardinals a 5-0 lead.

The Travelers closed to 5-2 in the sixth inning when Jordan Cowan singled and Jarred Kelenic hit his first home run since being promoted to Class AA a week ago.

The Travelers brought the tying run to the plate in the eighth inning when Donnie Walton hit a groundrule double and Evan White walked, but Dom Thompson-Williams struck out against Merandy Gonzalez to end the threat.

Angel Rondon (5-4) allowed 2 runs on 4 hits in 7 innings with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk to get the victory for the Cardinals. Justus Sheffield (5-3) allowed 5 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings to take the loss. Connor Jones pitched a scoreless ninth inning to get his sixth save of the season.

Cowan had two of the Travelers five hits in the loss.