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TL1 Arkansas Travelers

Ortega's Strong Start Not Enough For Travs

May 18, 2008 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas - The Arkansas Travelers couldn't come back this time, losing 3-2 in 10 innings Sunday afternoon. Anthony Ortega pitched nine innings but the Travs offense couldn't solve the two lefties for the Nats. Rowdy Hardy started the game and went the first six innings, allowing both runs, and Dusty Hughes (4-2) pitched the final four to earn the win.

Hughes struck out seven batters in his four innings, allowing only three hits and no runs.

Ortega pitched more than seven innings for the first time this year, yielding two runs, one earned, on five hits. Ortega set down the final 12 betters he faced.

The Travs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Corey Smith scored from third when Nate Sutton reached on an RBI fielder's choice. Drew Toussaint was out at second on the play.

Ed Lucas led off the fifth inning for the Naturals with a single to left and promptly stole second. The next batter, Irving Falu, bunted him to third base. Kiel Thibault hit a grounder to the SS Hainley Statia who tried to cut down Lucas at home, but the throw was too late, tying the game 1-1.

The Nats took the lead 2-1 in the sixth when Juan Richardson scored on a sac fly by Brian McFall. RF Jordan Czarniecki's throw home was well up the third-base line, allowing Richardson to score.

Czarniecki hit a one-out double in the bottom of the inning and stole third with Toussaint batting. After Toussaint struck out, Sutton beat out an infield hit that allowed Czarniecki to score and tie the game 2-2.

Sutton finished 1-for-4 but collected both Traveler RBI.

With Ortega over 100 pitches, the Travs went to the bullpen in the 10th and summoned Kevin Jepsen. Jepsen allowed a single to Lucas to start the inning but Lucas was gunned down by the catcher Ben Johnson for the first out. Falu then singled ahead of Thibault's strikeout. Jepsen permitted a single to Jose Duarte that moved Falu to third and a single to Ovandy Suero that scored Falu with the go-ahead run.

Hughes had a 1-2-3 inning against the middle third of the Traveler lineup to end the game.

The loss snapped a seven game win streak and ended the chances of the Travs holding a share of first place after the series. The Travs entered the series four games behind the Nats and with four wins, would have been tied with them for first place. The best they can hope for now is to finish the homestand two games behind NW Arkansas.

Adam Greenberg, Statia, and Czarniecki each collected two hits in the game. Czarniecki's average now stands at .308 with hits in his last five games. He has 18 hits in his last 12 games a .419 average.

Travs' Manager Bobby Magallanes was ejected from the game after arguing with home-plate umpire Brian Sinclair. Sutton was caught stealing 1-3-6 in the sixth inning but Magallanes was sure that Hardy committed a balk.

Paid attendace was 5,669 and game time was a quick 2:34.

The Travelers will send Bobby Mosebach (4-2, 4.40 ERA) against Blake Johnson (4-2, 3.68 ERA) in the series finale Monday night. Mosebach pitched his second complete game of the year in his last appearance. Game time is set for 7:10 with gates opening at 6:10.

For ticket or game information call (501) 664-1555 or visit travs.com

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