5-0 Shutout Ends Travs Three-Game Skid
Published on May 7, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Springfield, Missouri - Four pitchers combined to toss the Arkansas Travelers third shutout win of the season in a 5-0 victory over the Springfield Cardinals on Monday night at Hammons Field. Rian Kiniry came through with the only clutch hit the Travs needed when he tripled to knock in three runs in the second inning. In snapping a three-game losing streak the Travs also turned three double plays in the field.
The Travs win moves them back into a tie for third place in the TL North with the Cardinals at 13-18, seven games behind the division-leading Tulsa Drillers.
Greg Smith started the game, but was pulled after only 3.2 innings and 57 pitches. No reason was given for Smith's early exit although he was not injured.
Eddie McKiernan (3-0) fired four innings in relief of Smith to earn the win while lowering his ERA to 0.45. McKiernan allowed four hits and a walk while striking out three batters. Dakota Robinson retired the only batter he faced before Steven Geltz struck out two in a perfect ninth inning.
The Travs defeated Cards righty Scott Gorgen (0-3) who was charged with three runs in five innings.
Casey Haerther walked to begin the Arkansas second inning then advanced to second base when second baseman Jose Garcia dropped a flipped ball from his shortstop on an Adam Heether fielder's choice. After a one-out single from Carlos Ramirez loaded the bases Kiniry came up and ripped a 1-0 pitch over first base and down the line knocking in three runs.
The Cards threatened in the third inning getting two singles off Smith, but he got Chris Swauger to hit a sharp bouncer to second baseman Renny Osuna, who started a double play.
Smith left the game following a two-out double hit by Audry Perez in the fourth inning. McKiernan entered and got Xavier Scruggs to fly out.
McKiernan faced Scruggs again in the seventh inning after allowing a leadoff single. He leaped to grab Scruggs's high bouncer then threw off balance to second base for a force play before Jean Segura completed the double play. McKiernan needed that big play because he issued a walk and allowed a single before striking out Jose Garcia to end the inning.
The Travs tallied two runs off Kevin Thomas in the eighth to move ahead 5-0, then Geltz took care of the Cards in the ninth to secure the shutout.
Time of game was 2:54 and the paid attendance was 3,690.
The series concludes on Tuesday afternoon at 12:08 p.m. at Hammons Field. The Travelers have right hander A.J. Schugel (1-3, 3.51) on the mound while Springfield counters with left Jon Gast (3-2, 2.41).
Texas League Stories from May 7, 2012
- 5-0 Shutout Ends Travs Three-Game Skid - Arkansas Travelers
- Tulsa's Offensive Woes Continue - Tulsa Drillers
- Frisco Fifth Does the Trick - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Blanked by Arkansas 5-0 - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals Bats Come Alive - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, May 7 vs. San Antonio - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Royals Farm Report May 7 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Odorizzi Named Pitcher of the Week - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Back Home Thursday - Tulsa Drillers
- Cody Decker Named Texas League Player of the Week - San Antonio Missions
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