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Arkansas Travelers

Traveler Baseball Weekly Notebook

July 2, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


After finishing the first half of the season with the worst record in the Texas League, the Arkansas Travelers opened up the second half with a win over the Springfield Cardinals, who were the first-half champions of the North Division. But then the Travs dropped four of their last five, falling to 2-4 and 2.5 games back of first place, just six games in.

Arkansas (2-4, 30-46) has only been outscored 28 runs to 24 in the last six games, even though they took four losses, including the last three. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals won the weekend series 3-1 after losing the opening game last Friday. The Travs only won back-to-back games twice in the month of June.

While June was also the first month that the Travelers didn't lead the Texas League in team ERA, the staff's 3.65 mark was good for third-best, and Arkansas is still tops for the season with a 3.53 ERA. But the Travs' offense had its best month to date, batting .275 (fourth-best), 29 points better than its May mark.

Tommy Mendoza starred in the second-half win over Springfield, picking up his team-leading fifth win with an one run, eight-inning effort, striking out seven Cardinals without walking a hitter. Mendoza was then added to the North All-Star team to replace Traveler teammate Trevor Bell, who was promoted to Triple-A.

Centerfielder Peter Bourjos made his return to action in that same game after missing three weeks with a wrist injury. Bourjos started right where he left off, collecting two hits and an RBI while scoring once and stealing a base. He was leading the Travs in hits, runs and slugging percentage when he went down. The 22-year-old still leads the Texas League in triples (8) and has yet to make an error in 54 games played, earning himself a starting nod in the league All-Star Game.

Arkansas returns to Dickey-Stephens Park tonight for the first time since June 21, opening a six-game homestand against the Midland RockHounds (4-2, 41-35). The Frisco RoughRiders (2-4, 33-37) come to North Little Rock on Sunday. Both South Division teams took two of three from the Travs to open the season back in April.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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