Naturals Edge Travs 2-1 On Richardson Homer
Published on July 14, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Arvest Ballpark, Springdale, Arkansas - For the third straight game, the Travs received a fine starting pitching performance but on Monday night the bats didn't come along in a 2-1 loss to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Amalio Diaz (0-1) lost in his 2008 Travs debut but allowed just two runs in 6.2 innings on 8 base hits. Juan Richardson's solo home run off Diaz in the sixth inning capped a 3-for-4 effort for the Naturals third-baseman and provided NWA with the winning run.
Northwest Arkansas was forced to use their bullpen for the entire game. RHP Chris Nicoll allowed the only Arkansas run during his four innings, but LHP Gilbert De La Vara (1-1) was perfect over four innings to earn the win.
For the first time in six games, the Travs scored the opening run of the game when Cody Fuller launched a home run leading off the third inning. Adam Greenberg followed with a single but Nicoll retired the next three batters. After Nicoll fired a 1-2-3 fourth inning, De La Vara came on to set down 12 straight Travs.
The Naturals answered in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game. Jose Duarte hit a one-out double to right-center and took third base on a groundout. Diaz jammed Mario Lisson with two outs, but the slow dribbler stayed on the third-base runner's path allowing Lisson to beat the throw while Duarte scored the tying run.
Diaz worked out of trouble in the fourth and fifth before surrendering Richardson's homer with one out in the sixth.
Chris Hayes replaced De La Vara for the ninth inning and got two quick outs. But Adam Morrissey and Brian Stavisky fought off two-strike pitches for base hits getting the tying run to second base. Hayes finished the game by striking out Corey Smith to end the game for his sixth save.
Time of game was 2:23 and the paid attendance was 4,365.
BOXSCORE
The Travs and Naturals are back to action on Tuesday night. Arkansas RHP Anthony Ortega (8-6, 3.72) is scheduled to pitch against LHP John Bale (ML Rehab) with first pitch at 7:05 p.m.
Texas League Stories from July 14, 2008
- Naturals Edge Travs 2-1 On Richardson Homer - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals Edge Travelers Monday - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Pitching duel ends in Frisco victory - Frisco RoughRiders
- Texas League update - TL1
- Royals' Relievers Bale, Nunez to Join Naturals This Week - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Amalio Diaz Joins Rotation, Butcher Disabled - Arkansas Travelers
- âNew Look' Travs Return to NW Arkansas - Arkansas Travelers
- Kaaihue, Richardson Named Co-Texas League Players of the Week - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- RockHounds Featured In Future Game - Midland RockHounds
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