TL1 Arkansas Travelers

Bemboom Boom Pow: Travs Rally for 8th Straight

Published on May 18, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


North Little Rock, AR-Friday night before a crowd of 5,877 the Arkansas Travelers climbed out of a five run second inning deficit to down Springfield, 7-6. In a game that featured five home runs at the usually pitcher friendly Dickey-Stephens Park, Springfield blasted two in the second inning to build the early advantage. But, the Travs kept their season best eight-game winning streak alive by scoring seven of the games final eight runs, including two on a play that began with a single by the newest Travs player, Anthony Bemboom.

Arkansas used the big fly to ignite their offensive attack in erasing the Springfield lead. OF Travis Witherspoon (6), who batted leadoff in the game for the first time in nearly a month, hit his third long ball of the home stand by going deep in the third. Taylor Lindsey (5) also went yard by blasting a two-run homer to right in the fourth to pull the Travs within two.

Springfield jumped out to a quick start on Travs starter Manny Correa. Correa turned in seven scoreless innings to earn his second win of the year on Sunday in Tulsa, but was roughed up in the second. Correa hit Xavier Scruggs with the first pitch of the second inning and then allowed a single to Adam Melker. After forcing Cody Stanley to fly out to center for the first out, Luis Matos (1) opened the scoring by clubbing a three-run homer to left. Three batters later Starlin Rodriguez stepped up with a man on and two outs and hit his third home run of the season.

Correa settled down after the tough second inning and surrendered just one more run before exiting after six innings.

Arkansas threatened in the first inning but finally got to LH Anthony Ferrara in the third when Travis Witherspoon received a Ferrara offering and deposited behind the left field wall. The Travs pushed two more across with two outs in the fourth inning. Randal Grichuk hit a broken bat double down the line in left. The next batter was Lindsey, who hit his fifth homer of the season by cranking a Ferrara pitch over the bullpens in right.

Xavier Scruggs provided some breathing room for the Cards when he led off the sixth inning with his 11th homer of the season.

Arkansas quickly responded in the bottom of the inning. The Travs finally chased Ferrara from the game after 5 1/3 innings and plated two runs in the frame. Grichuk hit his second double of the night, a ground rule double to right, to score C.J. Cron. Later Trevor Hairgrove blooped a singled into center to bring in Grichuk from second.

After going quickly in the seventh against Springfield's Deryk Hooker the Travs were about to go quietly again in the eighth. However, with two outs and the bases empty, Rolando Gomez pinch-hit and singled through the left side of the infield. Gomez, representing the games tying run, then swiped second base. Drew Heid followed by walking, which forced Cards skipper Mike Shildt to turn to Keith Butler.

Butler entered with runners at first and second and two outs. Due up for the Travs was catcher Anthony Bemboom. Bemboom joined the Travs Friday afternoon from Burlington after Jett Bandy was placed on the disabled list because of an elbow injury. After falling behind 0-2, Bemboom worked the count even before singling to shallow right field. Gomez scored, and on the play Heid moved to third. Bemboom attempted to advance to second and got into a run down. The Cardinals failed to execute the run down to retire Bemboom, and in the process Heid scored to give the Travs their first lead.

Buddy Boshers pitched a scoreless 1 1/3 innings for the Travs and was relieved by Caleb Graham to start the ninth. Graham allowed a lead off single to pinch-hitter James Ramsey. However, after Mike O'Neill botched a sacrifice bunt attempt for the first out, Graham forced Rodriguez into a game-ending double play at third, that was started by Kaleb Cowart.

Boshers (1-1) earned the win for the Travs. The loss was charged to Hooker (1-1), while Butler was assessed a blown save.

With the win Arkansas now holds a 1 ½ game lead on the Cards for first place in the North Division. The teams play game two of the series Saturday night at 7:10 p.m. Coverage begins with the Travs Dugout Show at 6:45 on Sports Animal 920.

Check out the Arkansas Travelers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Texas League Stories from May 18, 2013


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.

OurSports Central