Grichuk Homers, Travs Win 1-0
Published on June 15, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
North Little Rock, Arkansas - Randal Grichuk homered (10) and four pitchers combined on a four hitter as the Arkansas Travelers stayed alive in the first half Texas League North race with a 1-0 victory over the Tulsa Drillers. Grichuk smacked the first pitch of the eighth inning for his sixth home run against Tulsa and second of the series. The win brings the Travs within a half-game of first place Tulsa with two games to play.
The Travs at 33-34 battle the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in the final two games of the first half on Sunday and Monday. They'll need to win both games and hope for the Drillers to lose one of two games to the Springfield Cardinals.
Mike Piazza dealt six shutout innings for the Travs in his ninth start of the season. He induced two double plays and struck out five batters while allowing just two hits and a walk.
Piazza walked his first batter of the game putting Rafael Ortega on base, but then induced Cristian Adames into a high chop to shortstop Jimmy Swift, who started a double play.
Piazza got his second double play in the second inning after Kent Matthes hit a one-out single. Angelys Nina also bounced to Swift four a double play.
The Travs only chance to score against Drillers left handed starting pitcher Tyler Matzek came in the first inning. One-out singles by Swift and Grichuk plus a two-out walk to Taylor Lindsey loaded the bases, but Matzek induced Kaleb Cowart to ground out to third base.
No Traveler runner reached second base for the next six innings. Matzek finished six frames allowing just four hits and three walks while striking out six batters. Lefty reliever Isaiah Froneberger pitched one scoreless frame. The Drillers brought Juan Gonzalez (L, 1-1) in for the eighth inning.
Grichuk took Gonzalez's first pitch over the left field wall for the game's only run.
Piazza left the game after retiring his last seven hitters. Michael Cisco worked 1.1 perfect innings before giving way to Buddy Boshers (W, 2-2), who allowed a single to Joey Wong with one out. Wong was forced at second when Jaron Shepard hit a fielder's choice to shortstop. Boshers then caught a soft liner towards the mound from Delta Cleary.
Josh Judy (6) earned the save in the ninth inning allowing one base hit, a one-out single to Cristian Adames. The last two Tulsa batters, Kiel Roling and Dustin Garneau, hit routine fly balls to end the game.
Texas League Stories from June 15, 2013
- Cardinals and Naturals Split Doubleheader to Close Trip - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Lose But Remain in First Place - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Split Doubleheader against Springfield - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Grichuk Homers, Travs Win 1-0 - Arkansas Travelers
- Ramirez Solid in 3-0 Shutout over Corpus Christi - Frisco RoughRiders
- Racers Earn Split - TL1
- RoughRiders Fan Wins 2013 Jeep Wrangler - Frisco RoughRiders
- Offense Sputters; Hounds Lose Two - Midland RockHounds
- Hooks Win First-Half Title - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cat, Pride Pounce on Racers - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Gotay Powers Cards to 8-4 Comeback Win - Springfield Cardinals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
