The Springfield Cardinals committed four errors and had just four hits in a 6-1 loss to the Arkansas Travelers on Sunday in Springfield.
Juan Diaz gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead thanks to a lead-off home run in the bottom of the second inning. That lead was short-lived, when Arkansas scored its first run of the game with the help of the Cardinals’ first error.
Third baseman Travis Hanson committed a fielding error on Erick Aybar’s grounder with two outs. Aybar stole second and third base before Howie Kendrick drove him in with a ground-rule double.
After David Gates drove in what proved to be the game-winner with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth, Arkansas scored three runs to put the game away in the fifth. That rally was propelled by two more Springfield errors. Aybar doubled to left-center field and advanced to third on a fielding error by left fielder Cody Haerther. Kendrick reached on another fielding error by Hanson and Aybar scored. Tommy Murphy doubled in Haerther to end the rally and the score was 5-1.
In the sixth inning, the Travelers scored for the final time, as the Cardinals made their final miscue. Gates was able to score on a throwing error by first baseman Juan Diaz to make the score 6-1.
Cardinals’ starting pitcher Randy Leek allowed six runs on his watch, but only two of them were earned, as he dropped to 10-6 on the season.