Six Run First Plenty for Smith & Travs

June 25, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release

Arkansas Travelers Pitcher Nate Smith
(Arkansas Travelers, Credit: Mark Wagner)

LHP Nate Smith (W, 7-4) tossed seven scoreless innings and allowed only three hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Smith lowered his season ERA to 2.74 and is 3-0 with a 0.85 ERA over five June starts.

LHP Chris O'Grady & RHP Alan Busenitz pitched the eighth and ninth innings to extend Arkansas' shutout streak to 21 straight frames.

The Travs scored all six runs in the first inning capped by a 1B Wade Hinkle grand slam.

2B Sherman Johnson started the game with his 19th double of the season & LF Drew Maggi singled him over to third. After a CF Jared Mitchell walk to load the bases, 3B Brian Hernandez lined a two-run single up the middle to plate RBIs number 50 & 51 this season to make it 2-0. Hernandez leads the Texas League with four more RBIs than Balbino Fuenmayor. After RF Blake Gailen walked, Hinkle launched the grand slam into the Cardinals' bullpen.

The grand slam was the first for Arkansas since July of 2014 (Adam Melker at Northwest Arkansas).

Hernandez finished 2-for-4 with a run and the two RBIs. C Anthony Bemboom also went 2-for-4.

Johnson walked twice and has scored a league-best 53 runs and walked 54 times.

With the win, Arkansas improved to 39-33 and 3-0 in the second half. The Travs have won eight of their last 10 games. 

The Travs and Cardinals will play game two of the four game series on Friday at Dickey-Stephens Park. RHP Kyle McGowin (4-5, 5.43) will take on RHP Thomas Lee (5-3, 4.59). First pitch on Fireworks Friday is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Arkansas Travelers Pitcher Nate Smith (Mark Wagner)

Texas League Stories from June 25, 2015

• Six Run First Plenty for Smith & Travs - Arkansas Travelers
• Fuenmayor Homers But Naturals Fall in Series Opener - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
• Hooks Again Top RoughRiders - Corpus Christi Hooks
• 'Hounds Blank Missions in Opener - San Antonio Missions
• Alex Burg Homers in Debut, But Riders Drop Opener - Frisco RoughRiders
• San Antonio Can't Solve Atherton in Series Opener - San Antonio Missions
• Three Hooks Tabbed for Futures Game - Corpus Christi Hooks
• Ryan Cordell and Alex Burg Set to Join Frisco RoughRiders - Frisco RoughRiders
• Frisco's Mazara and Williams Selected to Play in SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game - Frisco RoughRiders
• Cuthbert, Mondesi Named to Represent Kansas City Royals in SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
• Homestand Highlights: June 25 - June 28 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
• Brady, Travs Blank Naturals in Finale - Arkansas Travelers

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