Pressley Picks Apart Travs 9-8
August 24, 2005 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Ray Winder Field, Little Rock, Arkansas - Josh Pressley knocked in six runs to lead the Wichita Wranglers (29-28, 64-63) to a 9-8 victory over the Arkansas Travelers (31-27, 65-63). Pressley knocked in Wichita's winning run with a two-out single in the ninth inning to add to two home runs (21) including a grand slam to overcome an early 6-1 Travs lead. The Wranglers' bullpen kept the Travs to one hit over three innings with LHP Nate Hoelscher (3-2) earning the win. RHP Chris Demaria tossed 1.2 perfect innings with three strikeouts while RHP Leo Nunez closed the ninth inning for the save (4). The Travs got three-run homers from Tommy Murphy (15) and Kendry Morales (13) to build their lead, but the Wranglers touched up LHP Daniel Davidson for seven runs (six earned) on six hits in 4.2 innings. The loss lowers the Travs' lead over Wichita in the East Division to 1.5 games.
The Travs threatened in the first inning as RHP Kyle Middleton walked Erick Aybar and Reggie Willits doubled him to third base. After two outs were recorded, Murphy yanked a three-run homer to right field for a 3-0 lead.
Pressley led off the top of the second inning with a shot over the Screen Monster in right field to cut the Travs' lead to 3-1.
Middleton hit Howie Kendrick with a pitch in the third and Mike Napoli singled. Morales got a hold of a 1-0 pitch with two outs for a three-run homer and a 6-1 Travs lead.
At the top of the fourth inning, Davidson covered late at first base when Mike Aviles hit a slow ground ball to the right side for a single. Billy Butler ripped a line drive to the corner of the left-field fence to send Aviles to third base. While Butler jogged into second base, Aybar took the throw from the outfield and threw to second base with nobody covering the base. The throw rolled into right field to bring Aviles home and sent Butler to third. The Travs' infield allowed Butler to score when Cory Aldridge grounded out to hold the lead at 6-3.
Davidson hit a batter, walked another and allowed a single by Ruben Gotay in the fifth inning to load the bases. With two outs and a 2-2 count, Pressley golfed a pitch over the right field fence for a grand slam and a 7-6 Wichita lead.
The Travs fought back against Middleton in the fifth inning to tie the game. Howie Kendrick doubled and took third base on a wild pitch. Murphy knocked in Kendrick with a line drive single off the third baseman's glove.
Travs DH Greg Porter started the sixth inning with a line drive base hit to right. RF Wilkin Ruan slid past the ball allowing Porter a double. Porter advanced to third base on a bounce out by Jason Aspito. A sacrifice fly to right field by Mike Eylward brought Porter home for an 8-7 Travs lead.
Travs RHP Mark O'Sullivan tossed 1.1 perfect innings after Davidson left the game. RHP David Austen relieved for the seventh. With two outs, Gotay worked a walk and took second base on a wild pitch. Aviles then pulled a line drive to the right field track for a game-tying double.
The game remained tied into the ninth inning when RHP Alex Serrano came on and allowed Ruan's leadoff single to center. After two outs, Aviles poked a ground ball single to right field that sent Ruan to third base. On a 1-2 count, Pressley lined a fastball to left field for the game-winning hit.
Time of game was 2:55 and the paid attendance was 2,372.
NOTES: The Travs are now 8-3 in Little Rock against Wichita...Murphy is on a six-game hitting streak with three home runs...Pressley's grand slam was just the second off the Travs' pitching staff...
The Travs and Wranglers play the second game of this four-game set on Wednesday night. Arkansas has RHP Jered Weaver (2-1, 4.91 ERA) taking on Wichita LHP Mike Stodolka (4-9, 5.27 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. and the gates open at 6:10 p.m.
Please call (501) 664-1555 or visit www.travs.com for game information.
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