[rink23]

Record: 68-58, 2nd, 2 GB Springfield
St. Louis scored twice in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead, and Wilson Lara allowed one run over 5.1 innings to help the River Walkers down Cedar Rapids 3-1 at Busch Stadium (1997).
The win capped a sweep of the three-game series for St. Louis, and extended its win streak to eight games.
Jose Ramirez once again got things rolling for the Walkers in the first inning, leading the bottom of the frame off with a single off Grapplers starter Edwin Rivera.
Ramirez stole second and moved onto third when catcher Brandon Martorano's throw sailed into center field.
Thairdo Estrada then chased Ramirez home with a single.
Rivera's early troubles continued when he walked Steve Rossi, a single by Rick Scott then loaded the bases.
Estrada scored to make it 2-0 when Jordan Groshans grounded into a double play.
Cedar Rapids got its first, and only run, when Jose Morillo led off the top of the second with a homer.
The Walkers collected an insurance run in the sixth.
Peter Ahn led off with a double, but was eliminated when he was thrown out at third on an Alek Thomas bunt.
But Thomas stole second, and moved to third on a Jean Carmona single.
Ramirez scored Thomas with a fly ball as the St. Louis lead grew to 3-1.
Lara (9-6) allowed one run on three hits over his 5.2 innings. He struck ot nine and walked one.
Travis Krogman got the final out of the sixth -- he came on with runners at first and third with two outs, and got Morrillo to fly out to end the inning -- and worked a scoreless seventh.
David Amador worked a scoreless eighth.
Ernesto Barbosa followed suit in the ninth for his 25th save.