Porter Drives In Four Runs In 10-2 Victory
June 23, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock, AR - Greg Porter drove in four runs on three base hits to lead the Arkansas Travelers (3-2, 34-41) to a 10-2 victory over the Wichita Wranglers (1-4, 26-49). Now with 45 runs batted in, Porter ranks in a tie for second in the Texas League with Tulsa's Christian Colonel, both one behind Joe Mather who was promoted to triple-A last week. Just like Porter, 2B Adam Morrissey scored two runs and collected three hits to extend a hitting streak to seven games. The Travelers used four pitchers to work the game in place of disabled RHP Nick Adenhart. RHP Rich Thompson allowed one run on three hits in a three-inning starting performance. RHP Chris Hunter (3-1) earned the victory with three shutout frames. LHP Brad Beck allowed a run over two innings, while RHP Chris Saenz worked a perfect ninth to finish the game. SS Sean Rodriguez yanked a solo home run (10) and scored three times. The Travs are 9-3 in their last 12 games and have won back-to-back contests after a loss to Wichita Thursday night.
The got off to a quick start against Wichita LHP Danny Christensen (1-8), who took over the league lead in losses. Morrissey began the first inning with a single to center and was bunted up by Freddy Sandoval. With two outs, Porter ripped a line drive double to right-center to score Morrissey.
Thompson stranded two runners over the first two innings, but he allowed a leadoff single to Irving Falu in the third. A sacrifice bunt by Adam Greenberg moved Falu to second followed by a single to left from Geraldo Valentin tying the game, at 1-1.
The Travs' winning runs came in the third inning, and it started with Rodriguez drawing a leadoff walk. With Rodriguez running, Porter hit a grounder through the middle putting runners at the corners with no outs. Travs C Bobby Wilson made a 2-1 lead with a single to center scoring Rodriguez. Michael Collins then loaded the bases with no outs with a sharp single to right. Christensen lessened the damage by getting Aaron Peel to bounce into a 6-4-3 double play that scored Porter with the final run of the inning.
Leading 3-1, Travs CF Cody Fuller drew a leadoff walk in the fourth. Morrissey then hit a roller to the shortstop hole for an infield single. Fuller advanced to third base when Sandoval flied to deep center field, and he scored on a wild pitch from Christensen. Morrissey took second base on the wild pitch, advanced to third when Rodriguez singled and scored when Porter reached on a fielder's choice grounder to second.
Christensen left after 5.1 innings and gave way to RHP Arthur Santos. Rodriguez took him deep to begin the seventh inning becoming the first Traveler to reach ten home runs this season. Porter was walked and Wilson punched a single to left field. Collins followed with a double play to bring home Porter for a 7-1 lead.
Hunter left after the sixth inning and Beck tossed a shutout seventh. Wichita 1B Mike Stodolka took Beck deep (9) with no runners on base and two outs in the eighth bringing Wichita within 7-2.
The Travs put the game away in the ninth inning with three runs, two driven in by Porter. Fuller extended a hitting streak to seven games with an infield hit dribbling by the third baseman to begin the eighth. With one out, Sandoval singled and Rodriguez walked to load the bases. Porter then rolled a single to left field bringing home two runs. Rodriguez scored the game's last run on a dropped throw at first base by Stodolka.
The game was played in 2:30 and the paid attendance was 6,737. The season attendance at Dickey-Stephens Park is 214,235 surpassing the entire 2006 season, the last played at venerable Ray Winder Field. The Travs attendance record of 296,428 set during the 1989 season is certainly within sight with 31 home game remaining.
The Travs and Wranglers wrap up their four-game series Sunday night at Dickey-Stephens Park. Arkansas has RHP Fernando Rodriguez (4-1, 4.37 ERA) going to the mound against RHP Luke Hochevar (3-6, 4.63 ERA). First pitch is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. and the gates open at 4:30 p.m.
arenafootball2 Stories from June 23, 2007
- Renegades Return Home to Defeat Rivals 42-35 - Lubbock Renegades
- Porter Drives In Four Runs In 10-2 Victory - Arkansas Diamonds
- Shock Burn Boise, 60-28 - Spokane Shock
- Jungle Kats Fall to Fire 58-35 - Cincinnati Jungle Kats
- Firecats Conquer Conquest 64-41 - Florida Firecats
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.
