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SPRINGDALE, Ark. - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals rolled to a 10-4 win over the Springfield Cardinals on Monday night, sweeping the four-game series at Arvest Ballpark.  The Naturals (23-14) are now four games up on the Redbirds (19-18) in the North Division.
Mario Lisson had a career-night, with two homers and a triple, driving in six runs on the game.
Lisson’s second grand slam against the Cardinals this year gave the Naturals a 4-0 lead over starting pitcher Jess Todd in the second inning.
The Cards would play some long-ball of their own against Naturals’ starter Dan Cortes.  Allen Craig ripped his team-leading 19th of the year to open the fourth, making it 4-1.  
Jim Rapoport cracked his first Double-A homer to bring the Cards to within a run, making it 4-3 in the fifth.
Kila Kaaihue, who was promoted to Triple-A Omaha immediately after the game, responded in the bottom of the inning, as

the Naturals blew it open.  Kaaihue ripped an RBI double to make it 5-3.  Former Cardinal Juan Richardson, who had a four-hit game, followed with a two-run homer, giving the Naturals a 7-3 lead.  Lisson followed two batters later with a solo shot to make it 8-3.  
Lisson struck again in the seventh against Cards’ reliever Marco Gonzalez, ripping an RBI triple off the top of the center field wall to make it 9-3.  Lisson capped the inning at 10-3, scoring on an RBI groundout off the bat of Ovandy Suero.  
The Redbirds got their final run in the ninth inning, as Brandon Yarbrough plated Daryl Jones with an RBI single, making it a 10-4 game.  
Jess Todd (3-5) suffered his second straight loss, allowing eight run on eight hits over five innings.  
Springfield looks to get it turned around against the Arkansas Travelers, opening a three-game series on Tuesday night in North Little Rock.  Adam Ottavino (2-5) will take on Amalio Diaz (0-2) at 7:10pm in the series-opener.  
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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