TL1 Arkansas Travelers

Travs Break out in 8-3 Win over NWA

Published on June 19, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


North Little Rock, Arkansas - The Arkansas Travelers broke out of the offensive doldrums on Wednesday night during an 8-3 victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Taylor Lindsey (11) and Randal Grichuk (11) each homered while Lindsey drove in four runs and Grichuk collected three base hits. The Travs stormed in front with a six-run seventh inning resulting in nearly the same amount of runs they had scored in the previous 51 innings.

Now 1-1 in the second half the Travelers also evened their record against the Naturals at 8-8. Northwest Arkansas also holds a 1-1 record in the second half.

Grichuk's home run, leading off the second inning, gave the Travs their first lead since Saturday's 1-0 win. He took Aaron Brooks's 2-1 pitch over the right field wall giving Grichuk three home runs during the home stand.

Brooks started the bottom of the third inning by hitting catcher Carlos Ramirez with a pitch. Rolando Gomez ended an 0-for-15 slide with a line drive double to move Ramirez to third base. Brook responded by striking out Jimmy Swift for a second time, but Taylor Lindsey hit a grounder to second baseman Rey Navarro allowing Ramirez to scamper home for a 2-0 lead.

The Naturals were held off base by Lay Batista, who retired the first nine batters of the game. Brett Eibner tripled to the left-field wall leading off the fourth inning. Cron then handled Orlando Calixte's high bouncer behind first base, but Batista failed to cover first base allowing Calixte to record an RBI single. Brian Fletcher followed with a single to right field moving Calixte to third base. After a Batista struck out Fields, Cheslor Cuthbert hit into a fielder's choice to deep shortstop knocking home Calixte with the tying run.

Calixte got the go-ahead run on base for the Naturals with a sixth-inning leadoff single. Fletcher once again rolled a single through the right side moving Calixte to scoring position. With one out Cuthbert lined a pitch just inside the right-field line scoring Calixte with a book-rule double for a 3-1 Naturals lead. The deficit nearly increased, but Lindsey caught a line drive by Yem Prades and doubled off Fletcher at third for a double play.

Batista finished six innings and was charged with three runs on seven hits, one walk and six strikeouts.

Brooks (L, 2-1) set down 11 of 13 batters coming into the seventh inning when Kaleb Cowart hit a leadoff single. Travis Witherspoon battled to a nine-pitch walk and Brooks also walked Ramirez with one out to load the bases. Rolando Gomez drove in the tying run with a grounder past the mound that Calixte fielded behind second base with a lunge. Ramirez beat the play at second base resulting in an RBI single that tied the game. Witherspoon then bolted for the plate when Jimmy Swift flied out to shallow right field. Witherspoon arrived just ahead of Prades's throw to give the Travs a 4-3 lead. Lindsey followed with a drive over the right-field fence for a thr ee-run homer and a 7-3 lead. Grichuk hit a double and scored when C.J. Cron lined a single to center for an 8-3 lead.

Buddy Boshers (W, 3-2) pitched around a leadoff walk for a shutout seventh and earned the win. Kevin Johnson and Caleb Graham each threw a scoreless inning to close the game.

After a 3-6 road trip the Travs head to Springfield on Thursday for a four-game series with the Cardinals at Hammons Field. Mike Piazza (2-2, 3.67) will pitch the opener against Cards lefty Jonathon Cornelius (0-1, 4.66).

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