Johnson & Travs Beat Tulsa 5-3
Published on April 22, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Drillers Stadium, Tulsa, OK - After struggling for the last two weeks, Ben Johnson broke out with two doubles and a home run (2) leading the Arkansas Travelers (8-10) to a 5-3 victory over the Tulsa Drillers (8-10). Arkansas RHP Brok Butcher (2-0) won his second start in a row in a six-inning performance allowing three runs on seven hits, one walk and five strikeouts. In a game where the Travs jumped on top in the first and never trailed, LF Coby Smith singled, doubled and scored a run to extend his on-base streak to 18 games.
Tulsa RHP Ching-Lung Lo (0-4) worked his farthest into a game this year going five innings, but still lost his fourth start in a row.
Smith got things going in the first inning with a double on Lo's second pitch. A groundout by Mike Collins moved Smith to third base and a two-out wild pitch scored him.
Johnson led off the second inning with a double off the right-field fence then he scored when Nate Sutton whacked another double to right-center for a 2-0 lead. Two batters later, Tulsa 3B Corey Wimberly's throw on a bouncer by Cody Fuller pulled 1B Jeff Kindel off first base. Sutton ran hard on contact and scored for a 3-0 lead.
Butcher only allowed one base runner over the first two innings, but the Drillers got three singles in the third to score a run.
Another three-hit rally in the fifth inning brought in two more runs for the Drillers. Butcher's only walk put Neil Wilson on first base then a fielder's choice grounder by Eric Young forced Wilson out at second. Dexter Young hit hard grounder on the right side that Collins smothered but had no play. Chris Nelson and Matt Miller followed with RBI singles bringing the Drillers within a 4-3 lead.
Butcher rebounded for a perfect sixth inning and gave way to RHP Stephen Marek in the seventh. Marek tossed two innings and allowed a single and a walk, but left the tying run at third base in the seventh and eighth innings.
The Travs tallied the game's final run when Johnson yanked a RHP Jarrett Grube offering over the right field wall in the ninth for a 5-3 lead.
RHP Kevin Jepsen (3) threw a perfect ninth inning for the save.
Time of game was 2:36 and the paid attendance was 2,405.
After wins in six of seven games the Travs take the field in Tulsa on Wednesday night. Arkansas has RHP Anthony Ortega (2-1, 2.12 ERA) pitching while the Drillers counter with LHP Xavier Cedeno (2-1, 2.87 ERA). First pitch Wednesday is set for 7:05 p.m.
Texas League Stories from April 22, 2008
- Johnson & Travs Beat Tulsa 5-3 - Arkansas Travelers
- Travs Turn Tables In Drillers Loss - Tulsa Drillers
- Texas League Newsletter 2008 No. 2 - TL1
- Ed Lucas Activated, Mildren Promoted - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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