TL1 Arkansas Travelers

O'Neill Lifts Cards to 2-1 Walk-Off on Travs

Published on August 9, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


SPRINGFIELD, MO - Mike O'Neill was the hero on Friday night at Hammons Field, as his walk-off single lifted the Springfield Cardinals to a 2-1 victory over the Arkansas Travelers.

Arkansas held a 1-0 lead from the end of the top of the fifth inning all the way until the bottom of the ninth when the Cardinals bats had awoken. After DH Bruce Caldwell was hit by a pitch to start the inning, SS Aledmys Diaz came within inches of a walk-off homer, but instead settled for a ringing double off the wall. Nick Martini tied the game at 1-1 on a RBI groundout to second base before Patrick Wisdom lined out on a screamer to second base for the second out.

That put the game in the hands of pinch-hitter Mike O'Neill who then promptly roped a 3-2 offering into right field to plate Diaz and secure the 2-1 victory.

With RHP Thomas Lee allowing a run over 2.2 innings after LHP Kyle Hald went the first four innings in shutout fashion, it was RHP Chris Perry (W, 1-1) earning his first Double-A victory after hurling 2.1 impressive innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit while striking out four batters and not issuing a walk.

LHP Sean Newcomb went six-plus innings in his second career start at the Double-A level, holding the Cardinals off the board on a mere two hits with three walks and four strikeouts in his Friday night outing. Newcomb left in line for the win but settled for a no-decision.

RHP Eduard Santos (H, 8) and LHP Greg Mahle (H, 1) each looked sharp in their respective shutout frames, while RHP Danny Reynolds (BS, 2; L, 1-3) blew the save and took the loss by surrendering two runs (both earned) on two hits in 0.2 innings.

DH Raywilly Gomez reached base all five times in Friday night's ballgame, finishing 4-for-4 with a walk and the Travs' only RBI. It's the first four-hit game for Gomez since also going 4-for-4 as a member of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on May 26, 2014 in a home game against the Jackson Generals.

Arkansas continued to have difficulties with runners in scoring position, finishing 2-for-12 in such situations while leaving 13 men on base in the loss.

Springfield finished 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, with that lone knock being O'Neill's walk-off single.

With back-to-back losses to Springfield, Arkansas only holds a one game lead over the Cardinals in the North Division second half standings.

The Travs will look for their first win of the series on Saturday night as RHP Michael Brady (6-5, 3.60) takes the bump for Arkansas, while Springfield will counter with a righty of their own in RHP Andrew Morales (4-6, 5.23). This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Texas League Stories from August 9, 2015


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