Springfield Strikes Back In 11-4 Pounding
June 14, 2005 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Ray Winder Field, Little Rock, AR â Springfield SS Kevin Estrada led a 20-hit attack with four base hits to lead the Cardinals (33-32) to an 11-4 victory over the Arkansas Travelers (33-32). The loss knocks the Travs from contention in the first half East Division race. Springfield's Shaun Boyd and Tyler Minges each had three hits, with Minges hitting a home run (11) and knocking in three runs. LHP Randy Leek (7-3) won his second game over Arkansas going eight innings and surrendering two runs on six hits and four walks with four strikeouts. The Travs were led by RF Mike Eylward who hit a home run (4) and has two base hits. DH Brent Del Chiaro and 3B Ryan Leahy also had two base hits. LHP Tim Bittner (1-6) allowed seven runs in four innings to take the loss.
The Cardinals grabbed a lead in the first inning before an out was recorded. Shaun Boyd singled to start the game and trotted home when Minges smacked a ball off the left field wall for a triple. When Travs SS Erick Aybar and 2B Alberto Callaspo turned a wonderful double play on a tough grounder to the shortstop hole, Minges scored for a 2-0 Springfield lead.
Leading off the second for Springfield, OF Papo Bolivar doubled and took third on a groundout. When Mike McCoy flied out to right field, Bolivar scored for a 3-0 Cards lead. However the Cardinals rallied for three more runs in the second inning with two outs. Estrada grounded a single to left field and stole second base. Boyd then lined a single to right field to score Estrada. Minges followed with a two-run homer to centerfield giving Springfield a 6-0 lead.
Bittner allowed his final run in the third inning when Diaz doubled and scored on another double by Aaron Herr.
The Travs had trouble against Leek's soft touch with only two hits after four innings. They loaded the bases in the fifth on two walks and a single, but managed only one run thanks to a diving catch by Boyd on a drive by Callaspo to dead center that took away an extra-base hit and turned it into a sacrifice fly.
Diaz hit a monster home run (8) over the screen in center and over the freeway in the seventh inning for an 8-2 Cards lead.
The Travs answered in the bottom of the seventh against Leek as Del Chiaro tripled with two outs and scored when Reggie Willits reached on an infield single.
The Cards tallied three times in the ninth inning with two runs scoring on a home run by Andy Schutzenhofer (2).
Eylward led off the ninth inning with a home run to right field off RHP Cory Doyne. Leahy followed with a single and scored on a double by Callaspo to cap the scoring.
Time of game was 2:27 and the paid attendance was 2,515.
The last game of this five-game series will be played Wednesday night at Ray Winder Field. Arkansas LHP Daniel Davidson (5-3, 4.27 ERA) will pitch against Springfield RHP Stuart Pomeranz (0-0, 6.86 ERA). First pitch comes at 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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