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TL1 Arkansas Travelers

Shell shows Missions the door in 3-2 Win

June 29, 2005 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


Ray Winder Field, Little Rock, AR - RHP Steven Shell (5-5) got his well-earned revenge against San Antonio by pitching the Arkansas Travelers (3-4, 37-40) to a 3-2 comeback victory over the Missions (5-2, 43-34). In two previous starts against the Missions, Shell picked up a loss and a no-decision in another loss even though he allowed just three runs on 11 hits in 13 innings. Wednesday night, Shell held San Antonio to three base hits and two runs in seven innings while walking three and striking out four. The Missions carried a 2-0 lead into the seventh inning, but the Travs rallied for three runs with Mike Eylward knocking in Greg Porter with a two-out single for the winning run. The Travs break a four game losing streak and salvage a game against San Antonio after dropping five straight games to the Missions.

The Arkansas seventh-inning rally made a loser out of LHP Bobby Livingston (7-4) who held the Travs to three hits and a walk over the first six innings. Arkansas RHP Aaron Pullin earned the save (5) with a scoreless ninth inning. Travs C Mike Napoli caught two runners stealing in the eighth and ninth innings for two big outs including the final play of the game.

Shell's night didn't start out so hot with walks to the first two batters of the game. A sacrifice bunt and a groundout by Nate Espy gave the Missions a 1-0 lead.

Shell would 14 of the next 16 batters until allowing a leadoff double in the sixth inning to Jaime Bubela. Another sacrifice bunt and a single by T.J. Bohn put the Missions ahead 2-0.

Napoli drew a leadoff walk in the seventh inning and Tommy Murphy reached first base on an infield single that bounced halfway to third base. Porter followed with a groundball that sent 2B Eddy Menchaca way to his left. Menchaca was able to stop the ball, but Napoli barreled around third base and scored with Murphy advancing to third base. Livingston, who hadn't thrown a wild pitch this season entering the game, threw his second wild pitch of the night to bring home Murphy for the tying run with Porter taking second base on the play. Eylward then ripped a grounder off the glove of the third baseman for the game-winning hit.

The Travs still needed to get through the dreaded eighth inning where opponents had scored 14 runs in the previous four games. Menchaca led off the eighth inning against RHP Mark O'Sullivan with a double to right field. However Menchaca was thrown out attempting to reach third base when Bubela grounded to 2B Alberto Callaspo. Bubela then attempted to steal second base with one out and was pegged by Napoli.

Pullin got through the ninth inning after allowing a leadoff base hit to Espy with two fielder's choices and Napoli throwing out Gary Harris on an attempted steal to end the game.

Time of game was 2:27 and the paid attendance was 3,132.

The Travs are off on Thursday before starting a five-game series at Tulsa on Friday night. The Travs have LHP Joe Saunders (5-4, 4.25 ERA) pitching on Friday night against LHP Zack Parker (9-3, 3.21 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Please call (501) 664-1555 or visit www.travs.com for game information

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