SPRINGDALE, AR - Jesus Baez blasted his 10th home run and drove in five runs to help the Cardinals shut out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 9-0, on Friday night at Arvest Ballpark.
Baez got the scoring started with a three-run home run in the third inning and added two sacrifice flies later in the game.
Cooper Hjerpe set the tone for the pitching staff with 4.1-hitless innings. He struck out a season-high seven batters and issued one walk.
Hunter Hayes did not allow a run over 2.2 innings of relief to pick up his team-high sixth win.
W: Hayes (6-3)
L: Beam (5-9)
NOTES:
• Baez's home run tied him for the team lead with Ryan Campos and Won-Bin Cho. He has hit 24 total home runs between High-A and Double-A this season.
• Hjerpe recorded season-highs in both innings (4.1) and strikeouts (7).
• Tre Richardson III had hits in his first three at-bats and finished 3-for-4.
• The shutout was the third of the season for Cardinals pitching.
• Springfield moved into first place all alone in the second half North Division standings, 1.0 game up on Tulsa.
UP NEXT:
• Springfield (15-10, 46-47) at NW Arkansas (11-14, 40-52)
• LHP Doyle vs. RHP Zobac
• Saturday, July 25, 6:05 p.m. CT at Arvest Ballpark
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