SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — John Nogowski hit a two-run home run and had three hits, driving in three, and Chris Ellis allowed just four hits over six innings as the Springfield Cardinals beat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 6-5 on Monday.
Hector Mendoza got Erick Mejia to ground out with runners on first and third to end the game for his first save of the season.
Ellis (1-0) picked up the win after he struck out three while allowing one run.
Trailing 1-0, the Cardinals took the lead for good with two runs in the first inning. Ramon Urias hit a solo home run en route to the one-run lead.
The Cardinals later added one run in the fourth and sixth innings and two in the seventh to secure the victory.
Foster Griffin (1-2) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs and eight hits in the Texas League game. He also struck out four and walked two.
Mejia homered and singled, driving in two runs for the Naturals.
SAN ANTONIO 2, FRISCO 0 Erik Johnson and four other pitchers combined for a shutout as the San Antonio Missions defeated the Frisco RoughRiders. Brad Wieck got Luis Yander La O to fly out with runners on first and second to end the game for his first save of the season. Johnson (1-1) picked up the win after he struck out three over two scoreless innings. Richelson Pena (1-2) went seven innings, allowing two runs and four hits in the Texas League game. He also struck out seven and walked two. San Antonio scored its runs when Kyle Overstreet and Michael Gettys hit solo home runs in the fourth and seventh innings. The RoughRiders were held scoreless for the second time this season, while the Missions’ staff recorded their first shutout of the year. CORPUS CHRISTI 6, MIDLAND 1 Jamie Ritchie doubled and singled, and Framber Valdez allowed just two hits over six innings as the Corpus Christi Hooks defeated the Midland RockHounds. Valdez (1-1) allowed one run while striking out seven to pick up the win. Trailing 1-0, the Hooks took the lead for good with two runs in the fourth inning. Taylor Jones hit an RBI double en route to the one-run lead. The Hooks later added a run in the seventh and three in the eighth. In the seventh, Myles Straw hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Ritchie, while Ryne Birk drove in two runs and Ritchie drove in one in the eighth. Corey Walter (1-2) went six innings, allowing two runs and three hits to take the tough loss in the Texas League game. He also struck out one and walked one.