Naturals Lose Lead, Game to Cardinals

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Northwest Arkansas Naturals fell to the Springfield Cardinals, 6-3 Friday night in Springfield, Mo.

The Naturals got on the board first, when Jason Kendall, making his Northwest Arkansas debut, scored on a sacrifice fly by Yem Prades to make it 1-0.

Mario Lisson made it 2-0 with a two-out single, scoring Paulo Orlando, then Alex McClure made it 3-0 with his first home run as a Natural, a solo shot to left in the fourth.

After the Cardinals made it 3-1 in the sixth, they broke it open in the seventh. A bases loaded walk followed by a sacrifice fly tied the score, then Oscar Taveras gave Springfield the lead with a two-run double to center. Springfield would score four in the inning and add another in the eighth to reach the final margin.

Northwest Arkansas drops to 43-53 on the year. The series with Springfield continues Saturday night, first pitch scheduled for 6:08 p.m.