TL1 Arkansas Travelers

Travs Hold On To Complete Sweep of Cards

Published on May 15, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas - For the third consecutive game, the Arkansas Travelers had to play catch-up. Tonight they did not wait until the final swing in the bottom of the ninth to get the win. After a one-out homer by Jon Jay in the top of the first, Ben Johnson hit the first of his two home runs (7 & 8), a three-run shot to deep right field. The long ball gave the Travs a lead they would not give up despite some tight moments, winning 6-5.

Clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth, things snowballed quickly for closer Kevin Jepsen. Jepsen entered in the eighth to clean up Francisco Rodriguez's mess and retired the first man he faced to end the inning. He started the ninth with a walk to Jay and a single to Steven Hill. After falling behind Mark Shorey 3-0, Jepsen walked him on a 3-1 pitch to load the bases with no outs.

Jepsen then got tough and induced two consecutive 5-2 putouts from 3B Ryan Leahy to the catcher Johnson. With the bases still loaded and two outs and no runs coming in, Jepsen coaxed a third-straight grounder to third. Leahy threw on to first to get the out and preserve the win for Dan Denham (3-4) and the save for himself, number six.

Denham pitched 6.2 innings and allowed two runs on eight base hits. He allowed a hit in all seven innings he started but the defense turned two double plays behind him.

Rodriguez was called on to get Denham out of the seventh and threw one pitch to Hill, getting him fly out to RF Jordan Czarniecki. Rodriguez stranded both runners Denham allowed to reach.

Rodriguez started the eighth by striking out Mark Shorey and then got wild. He hit two batters with a walk mixed in to load the bases with one out. He then allowed a bloop single down the right field line to score one run. Rodriguez was then victimized by a passed ball by Johnson that plated Jose Martinez. Matt Pagnozzi hit a sac fly to cut the lead to a single run and Travs' skipper Bobby Magallanes summoned Jepsen.

Cardinals' starter Tyler Herron (0-2) allowed five runs on seven hits over his 5.1 innings.

Johnson hit a solo home run with two outs in the third to right-center field to give the Travs a 4-1 lead. Johnson finished the night 2-for-3 with four RBI and two runs scored, he also stole a base.

Craig hit a home run over the batter's eye in center to cut the lead to 4-2. Craig went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. He was a triple away from the cycle.

Nate Sutton hit a triple to right-center leading off the sixth inning and came around to score on Adam Greenberg's RBI double. Greenberg scored on a Hainley Statia ground ball to third that proved to be the difference.

Greenberg has proven to be a great pick up for the Travs, going 2-for-4 tonight to raise his average to .409. He has also played a good center field, ranging back to the track to make a great catch tonight.

The Travs have now won five in a row and 11 of their past 12 home games.

Game time was 2:47 and paid attendance was 4,814.

Boxscore

The Travs open up a series with the first-place NW Arkansas on Friday night at 7:45 with the gates opening up at 5:45, two hours before game time. The pre-game ceremonies will feature midget wrestling. Arkansas will send RHP Brok Butcher (2-1, 2.49 ERA) vs. LHP Paul Mildren (1-2, 2.53 ERA).

Check out the Arkansas Travelers Statistics

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Texas League Stories from May 15, 2008


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