TL1 Arkansas Travelers

Collazo Coolly Pitches Travs To 7-1 Win

Published on August 30, 2004 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


Ray Winder Field, Little Rock, AR - LHP Willie Collazo dealt 6.2 effective innings, while 2B Victor Gutierrez went 4-for-4 to lead the Arkansas Travelers (25-39, 58-75) to a 7-1 victory over the Midland RockHounds (32-32, 67-67). Collazo (5-10) allowed just an unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out six batters for his first win in three tries. Gutierrez led a 14-hit attack with four singles and two runs scored. Travs LF Nick Gorneault had two hits including a solo home run (20), becoming just the third Travs player in five years to reach the 20-home run mark. CF Tommy Murphy and 1B Rudy Gomez each had two hits. Arkansas RHP Steve Andrade pitched 2.1 perfect innings for the save (9).

At the bottom of the second inning, the Travs had their first five batters reach base against Midland LHP Brad Weis (6-12). Casey Smith started the inning with a single to center, and Cristian Guerrero followed with a double to left center field to score Smith. Gutierrez looped a single to right field setting up Murphy for a groundball single to left that scored Guerrero. Weis then walked Gomez to load the bases, but got Alberto Callaspo to bounce into a double play that scored Gutierrez for a 3-0 lead.

Travs DH Derrick Gibson led off the third with a single to center and advanced to third base on a double inside third base by Jeff Mathis. Smith then bounced out to second base to bring Gibson home for a 4-0 lead.

Gorneault's home run came with two outs in the fourth inning to right field for a 5-0 lead. Former Travs Dallas McPherson and Mike O'Keefe were the only Arkansas batters to hit 20 home runs in a season since 2000.

Collazo allowed an unearned run in the seventh and passed the game to Andrade, who whiffed two and retired all seven to cap the game.

Time of game was 2:25 and the paid attendance was 2,397.

Game three of the series is set for Tuesday night. Arkansas has LHP Corey Lee (2-6, 6.02 ERA) pitching against Midland RHP Shane Bazzell (13-3, 2.86 ERA). The first pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.

Please call (501) 664-1555 or visit www.travs.com for game information.

Check out the Arkansas Travelers Statistics



Texas League Stories from August 30, 2004


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