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Arkansas Travelers

Travs Weekly

May 4, 2008 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


The Past Week: The past eight days were perfectly symmetrical for the Arkansas Travelers (11-17). After seeping a four-game set from the NWA Naturals and losing three out of four to the Tulsa Drillers, the Nats then swept the Travs and the Travs took three out of four from the Drillers. The Travelers were eager to return home to face the Drillers after the 1-7 road trip. The week was capped by a thrilling victory Friday night when the Travs topped the Drillers 8-7 in 10 innings.

NW Arkansas Series: Naturals' starter Carlos Rosa took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning of game one before Nate Sutton was able to beat out an infield single. Sutton collected the only two hits of the game for the Travelers as the Travs were shut out for the third time this season in the 3-0 loss. Rosa worked a brilliant eight innings over which he allowed just one hit. He also struck out nine against two walks. Jarod Plummer pitched the ninth for the save. Travs' tough-luck loser Dan Denham pitched six innings, only allowing three runs but again, the offense couldn't support him.

Fernando Rodriguez was unable to hold a 2-0 lead in game two of the series as the Nats went on to win 7-2. The Naturals sent nine men to the plate and scored five runs in the third inning to give them a lead they would not relinquish. Doubles by Coby Smith, Mike Collins and Ben Johnson gave the Travelers a brief 2-0 lead in the top of the third.

The Nats defeated the Travs 6-5 in 13 innings in game three of the series. Juan Richardson hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 13th to hand the Travs their fifth consecutive loss. Richardson also hit a three-run homer earlier in the game and he finished the game 3-for-7 with four RBI. Jeff Kennard was the losing pitcher as he failed to record an out in the 13th inning. He was charged with two runs, both earned, and he gave up three hits. Roman Colon pitched the final three innings for the Nats to earn the win.

The Travs again couldn't hold a lead and ended up losing 6-5 for their sixth consecutive loss. The Travelers took a 5-1 lead into the fifth inning but fell apart over the next two. Starter Anthony Ortega gave up two in the bottom of the fifth and reliever Bill Edwards gave up three in the sixth en route to earning his first loss of the year. Ben Johnson collected three hits in four chances on the night. Kyle Crist came entered the game in relief of Dusty Hughes who only made it three innings. Crist went three innings himself, earning his first win.

Tulsa Series: The Travelers got back into the win column in game one on Tuesday against the Drillers, beating them 4-2. Ben Johnson had a big game, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a run scored. His first inning homer gave Arkansas a quick 2-0 lead. Bobby Mosebach made those runs stand up as he went seven strong innings, giving up six hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

Game two was a heart breaker for the Travs when a balk by starter Dan Denham scored the only run in the game as the Drillers won 1-0. Each team was only able to manage two hits against the other but when Denham's quirky delivery was called a balk, Tulsa got the only run it would need. Denham was able to go eight innings without allowing an earned run. Denham's ERA now stands at 0.39, which leads all of Double-A. Denham also leads Double-A in average against at .107.

Fernando Rodriguez was finally the pitcher the Travs hoped he'd be when they gave him the start on opening day. Rodriguez earned his first win of the year as he went six innings while only allowing one run on four hits. Arkansas got the only runs it needed in the first inning, beating Tulsa 2-1. Coby Smith went 2-for-4, which put his average back over the .300 plateau. Kevin Jepsen allowed a hit and a walk in the ninth but was able to work around them for his fourth save of the year.

Hainley Statia was saving the best for last in game four of the series as his only hit in the series was a walk-off double to score two runs and give the Travs an 8-7 win in the bottom of the 10th. Francisco Rodriguez was credited with the win as he pitched the top of the 10th and allowed only one unearned run. The Travs loaded the bases with no outs in the final inning but Ryan Mattheus was able to retire the next two batters. Statia stepped in with out a hit in his last 15 at-bats and delivered the play of the game.

Who's Hot: Jordan Czarniecki is hitting .538 in his last five games and .370 in his last 10. Ben Johnson has hit two home runs with 10 RBI in his last 10 games and is batting .368 in his last five. Dan Denham continues to prove to be a great addition to the rotation; he has not given up a run in his last 14 innings pitched. Kevin Jepsen has struck out six in his most recent three innings.

Who's Not: Cody Fuller doesn't have a hit in his last five games, spanning nine at-bats. He is hitting only .154 in his last 10 games. Brok Butcher gave up five earned runs in his last start, lasting only 4.2 innings. Bill Edwards has walked seven batters in his last eight innings pitched.

The Week Ahead: The Travelers are set to face the division-leading Springfield Cardinals in Springfield for four games starting Saturday. After those four games, the Travs head back to Tulsa to face the Drillers, also a four-game series.

Pitching Probables, Travs vs. Cardinals:

Sat: RHP Anthony Ortega (2-2, 4.88 ERA) vs. RHP Clay Mortenson (1-1, 3.86 ERA)

Sun: RHP Bobby Mosebach (3-1, 3.64 ERA) vs. RHP P.J. Walters (1-2, 3.25 ERA)

Mon: RHP Dan Denham (1-3, 0.39 ERA) vs. RHP Cory Rauschenberger (0-1, 10.61 ERA)

Tues: RHP Fernando Rodriguez (1-3, 6.48 ERA) vs. LHP Adam Daniels (0-1, 3.75 ERA)

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