Early Hole Too Big for Travs
Published on May 6, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Springfield, Missouri - Trailing by seven runs in the eighth inning the Arkansas Travelers made a valiant effort at a comeback that fell short in a 10-7 loss to the Springfield Cardinals on Sunday afternoon at Hammons Field. Jean Segura and Jeremy Cruz each collected three base hits leading a 14-hit attack for the Travs, but the Cards put together 15 base hits which included a three-run homer from Oscar Taveras (8) in the first inning. Chris Swauger and Jermaine Curtis each collected four base hits for the Redbirds. Tyler Lyons (2-3) earned the win allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits in six innings. Travs righty Orangel Arenas (1-3) took the loss with eight runs allowed in 4.1 innings.
With their third straight loss the Travs drop behind the Cardinals in the standings into last place in the TL North at 12-18. Springfield has earned wins in 4 of 5 games to improve to 13-17.
Arenas found trouble early allowing singles to Kolten Wong and Curtis bringing Taveras to the plate with no outs. After falling behind 2-0, Arenas left a pitch up and Taveras hammered it over the right field fence for a 3-0 Cards lead.
The Travs collected runs in the second and third against Lyons on RBI groundouts by Alberto Rosario and Roberto Lopez, but they also left four runners in scoring position as well.
Trailing 3-2 in the third, Arenas allowed a leadoff double to Curtis then issued a walk. Kyle Conley bounced into a fielder's choice moving Curtis to third base. Swauger's RBI single to right field pushing Curtis across the plate for a 4-2 Cards lead.
The Cards seemingly put the game away in the fifth inning when they rallied for five runs. After recording an out on the first batter Arenas issued his second walk to Taveras. Then Kyle Conley belted an RBI double to center field, which Swauger followed with a bloop single. The Cards loaded the bases when Arenas plunked Jake Shaffer and was relieved by Mike Piazza, whose first pitch was ripped for a two-run double by Greg Garcia. Two batters later Adam Melker topped off the rally with a two-run single to left field giving Springfield a 9-2 lead.
Lyons spun four shutout innings before handing the game to the Cards bullpen. Jesse Simpson kept the Travs from scoring in the seventh inning, but they knocked him from the game three batters into the eighth inning.
Casey Haerther began the eighth with a bloop to right field that brought Taveras in from right field and Jose Garcia out from the infield. At the last moment Garcia tried to duck Taveras, but they collided and fell to the ground. Garcia stayed in the game, but Taveras left under his own power with an apparent leg injury. Haerther made it to second for a double on the play and took third base when Adam Heether punched his second single of the day. Cruz then singled to center to knock Haerther home. Jorge Rondon entered from the Cards bullpen and allowed back-to-back doubles by Rosario and Rian Kiniry getting the Travs within a 9-6 score. A balk sent Kiniry to third base and a sacrifice fly from Angel Castillo chased him home to cut the deficit to two runs.
Andrew Taylor allowed a Cards run in the bottom of the eighth inning making their lead 10-7.
The Travs immediately threatened Springfield closer Keith Butler in the ninth inning with a pair of singles from Lopez and Haerther. But that was all the Travs could muster as Butler struck out Heether then got Cruz to fly out. Rosario nearly kept the game going, but his line drive was caught by a lunging Garcia at shortstop to end the game.
Time of game was 3:04 and the paid attendance was 3,747
The third of this four-game series is set for Monday night at Hammons Field. The Travs send lefty Greg Smith (2-1, 4.88) to the mound while the Cards counter with right hander Scott Gorgen (0-2, 3.64).
Texas League Stories from May 6, 2012
- Early Hole Too Big for Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Midland Takes Game Two over Frisco 3-1 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Hold on to 10-7 Win over Arkansas - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Drop 2nd Straight - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Edge Drillers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, May 6 vs. San Antonio - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Naturals Edge Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
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