Too Little, Too Late; Travs Can't Come Back Against Cards
Published on June 16, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas - The Arkansas Travelers (35-34) dug themselves into an early hole and were unable to dig out against the Springfield Cardinals (36-33) on Monday night. Starter Bobby Mosebach (5-5) was roughed up by the middle of the Cards order, surrendering five runs, three earned, in just 1.2 innings. Trailing 9-0 after the top of the fourth inning, the Travs tried to come back, scoring the next five runs, but ended up falling 10-5.
Mosebach got in trouble from the start by pitching his fastball high in the zone, which led to two walks to two of the first three batters he faced. Both runners ended up scoring for a 2-0 lead before the Travs took their first at bat.
Things didn't get better from there with the Cards scoring three runs in the second inning for a 5-0 lead. Mosebach wasn't helped by his defense when 1B Michael Collins let a grounder go through his legs in the inning.
Doug Brandt was called on to relieve Mosebach and pitched three innings and gave up four runs on four hits. Brandt struggled with control problems, walking four.
A three-run home run by SS Tyler Greene in the fourth inning put the game well in hand for the Cards and capped a four-run fourth inning and making the score 9-0.
Stephen Marek pitched 2.1 innings in relief of Brandt and set down all seven men he faced, four by way of a strikeout.
The Travs got two runs back on a two-run homer by Brian Walker in the fourth inning to cut the lead to seven but left two men on in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth innings.
Arkansas added a single tally in the seventh when Wil Ortiz, who had singled, scored from third on a Corey Smith single, cutting the score to 9-3.
The game got interesting in the eighth when the Travs got four base hits but scored only two runs, leaving runners on first and third.
Luke Gregerson came in to get Smith, the last batter of the eighth, and pitched a perfect ninth for his eighth save of the year.
Jose Martinez' RBI single to score Mark Shorey in the ninth gave the Cards a 10-5 lead that they would keep intact.
Ortiz finished the game 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.
Smith's seventh inning single extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
Boxscore
Time of game was 3:13 and paid attendance was 5,659.
The Travs now stand a full game behind the Cards but do hold the advantage in the event of a tie, which means that the winner of Tuesday's game will be the first-half champion of the Texas League North Division. The Travelers will send RHP Fernando Rodriguez (5-4, 5.26 ERA) up against RHP Jess Todd (2-1, 0.83 ERA). Game time is set for 7:10 with the gates opening at 6:10.
Texas League Stories from June 16, 2008
- Cards live to fight another day - Springfield Cardinals
- Too Little, Too Late; Travs Can't Come Back Against Cards - Arkansas Travelers
- Missions nip Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Too little too late, Nats falter against Tulsa - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers hold off Nats - Tulsa Drillers
- Series Preview: Tulsa Series Bridges Halves - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Back in Town All Week Long - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Home Against Cards June 20-23 - Tulsa Drillers
- RockHounds Make Roster Moves For Second Half - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Host Cards With Pennant Hopes - Arkansas Travelers
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