Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas - Hank Conger drove in three runs with a bloop double in the eighth inning to send the Travs to a 3-0 victory over Frisco in the opening game of the 2008 Texas League Championship Series (best-of-five). Daniel Davidson pitched seven scoreless innings and combined with Barret Browning (1-0) and Rafael Rodriguez (4th save) on a six-hit shutout. Conger's two-out double off Brandon Puffer send Frisco lefty Derek Holland (1-1) to his first class AA loss.Conger got his shot in the eighth thanks to two walks from Holland and a throwing error on 'Riders third baseman John Whittleman. Holland issued a leadoff walk to Chris Pettit, then with one out Wil Ortiz bounced to Whittleman who committed his second error of the night with a wild throw past second base. Another walk to Brian Stavisky loaded the bases and Frisco summoned Puffer from the bullpen. After getting Corey Smith to pop out, Puffer jammed Conger and he hit a flare to shallow centerfield. Julio Borbon sprinted in and dove for the ball getting a glove on it, but it bounced away allowing all three runners to score.
The Travs got nothing going offensively in the first four innings against the hard-throwing Holland. When the Travs had chances in the middle innings, he left two runners in scoring position.
Davidson matched Holland, but dealt with a few more baserunners early in the game. Davidson struck out Dustin Majewski to end the first stranding a man at third base. He whiffed Steve Murphy to end the fourth leaving two more runners on base. In Davidson's seventh and final inning, he issued two walks and induced Manny Pina to fly out for the third out.
Davidson allowed just five base hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings.
Browning came on for the eighth and allowed Julio Borbon's leadoff single, but left him on base when Majewski flied out.
Time of game was 2:37 and the announced attendance was 1,673.
NOTES: The Travs have won six straight games counting the final two games of the regular season...Conger owns 8 RBI in 4 games during the playoffs...The Travs fired three shutouts during the regular season...Frisco had been shutout only four times
The second game of the TLCS is scheduled for Wednesday night in North Little Rock. The Travelers announced righty Bobby Mosebach (9-12, 4.62) as the starting pitcher, while the RoughRiders counter with righty Neftali Feliz (4-3, 2.98). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. Gates open at 6:10 p.m.
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