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 SPRINGDALE, Ark. - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals took over first place in the North Division, dropping the Springfield Cardinals in the opening game of a four-game series at Arvest Ballpark, winning by a score of 2-1 on Friday night.  The loss for the Cards (19-15) puts them a full game back of the Naturals (20-14) in the North Division.
Kila Kaaihue continued to dominate Cardinals’ pitching, picking up two hits and driving home both Naturals’ runs on Friday evening.  
Cards’ starter Kyle Mura pitched well, in only his fifth appearance for the Cards, but suffered another tough-luck loss.  
After Springfield loaded the bases with one out and couldn’t score in the top of the first against Naturals’ starter Rowdy Hardy, Mura gave up a two-out single to Kaaihue.  The RBI hit scored Jose Duarte to put Northwest Arkansas up 1-0.
Springfield got the equalizer in the third, as Isa Garcia delivered a one-out single to right field with the bases loaded, scoring Tyler Greene to tie the game at 1-1.  After Garcia’s hit though, Springfield failed again to bring anyone home with the bases loaded and only one out.
The inability to convert with the bases loaded hurt the Cardinals on Friday, as Kaaihue struck again in the bottom of the third.  Irving Falu got the rally started with a one-out double, then scored on Kaaihue’s RBI single, as the Naturals took the lead for good at 2-1.
Springfield put the lead-off man aboard on in five of the nine innings, but scored only the one run.
Naturals’ reliever Chris Hayes took over for Hardy, who went only four innings in the start.  Hayes (4-1) pitched four

scoreless frames for the win, allowing just three hits.  
Tyler Greene extended his franchise-record hitting streak to 17 games, finishing the night with a game-high four hits.  
The Cards look to get back on track and reclaim a share of first place on Saturday night, sending Justin Fiske (0-0) to the mound against Naturals’ right-hander Julio Pimentel (4-9).  Game time on Saturday from Arvest Ballpark will be 7:05pm.  
The Redbirds return to Hammons Field on Friday, August 1st, for another AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks Spectacular.  Game time for the home stand opener next Friday is 7:10pm from Hammons Field.  Tickets are available by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at www.springfieldcardinals.com. 

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