Big Sixth Clinches Opener For Travs, 6-2
April 8, 2004 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, Wichita, KS - The Travs rocked Wichita for four runs in the sixth inning leading to a 6-2 victory on opening day. Travs C Jeff Mathis knocked in three runs on two hits, while 3B Dallas McPherson knocked in the winning runs with a two-run double in the sixth. Arkansas LHP Jake Woods (1-0) allowed two runs on five hits over five innings to earn the win. The Travs managed just one hit over the first five innings against Wichita starter LHP Les Walrond (0-1), but knocked him out in the sixth inning.
The Wranglers scored the game's first run in the fifth inning. Wranglers C Mike Tonis led off with a single, and scored on a two-out double by Chad Santos.
Walrond lost his command in the sixth inning and walked the bases loaded with one out. McPherson ran the count full before cracking a two-run double to left-center that scored Alberto Callaspo and Tommy Murphy for a 2-1 Travs lead. Wichita manager Frank White brought in reliever RHP Ryan Baerlocher to replace Walrond. Mathis responded with a two-run single to left field to score Casey Kotchman and McPherson.
Woods got into trouble in the bottom of the sixth allowing a bunt single to Mel Stocker and a walk to Ruben Gotay. Arkansas RHP Mark O'Sullivan relieved a walked Brandon Berger to load the bases with no outs. Wichita OF Dee Brown then knocked a run home with a sacrifice fly to cut the Travs' lead to 4-2. O'Sullivan got Tonis to bounce into a double play to end the inning and the threat.
Wichita sent LHP Billy Keppinger to start the eighth inning, and Murphy greeted him with a triple to right field. Kotchman brought him home for a 5-2 lead with a single to right field. Two batters later, Mathis tripled off RHP J.J. Trujillo to cap the scoring.
The game was played in 2:36 and the paid attendance was 3,102.
The Travs and Wranglers will play the second game of this series Friday night. Arkansas has RHP Rich Fischer set to start against RHP Danny Tamayo. The first pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
Texas League Stories from April 8, 2004
- Late rally falls one hit short - Round Rock Express
- Wranglers Drop Opener In Front Of 3,102 Energetic Fans - Wichita Wranglers
- Big Sixth Clinches Opener For Travs, 6-2 - Arkansas Travelers
- ESPN's âDream Job Candidate' says YES to the RoughRiders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Corpus Christi Baseball Announces Name of New Team - Corpus Christi Hooks
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