Travs Answer Nats With 7-1 Defeat
Published on June 6, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Arvest Ballpark, Springdale, AR - After going 20 innings without a run, the Travs took an early lead and cruised for a 7-1 victory over the Naturals on Thursday night. In snapping their four-game losing streak, the Travs pull back to 28-28 and are within two games of first-place Northwest Arkansas. RHP Anthony Ortega (6-3) held the Naturals to just one run on eight hits over seven innings to win his second consecutive start. CF Jordan Czarniecki drove in three runs finishing 2-for-4 with a home run (4) and a double.
Leading off the game, CF Adam Greenberg took advantage of high winds blowing out to left field. His fly ball took off and carried to the left-field fence and Greenberg slid into third base with a triple. But he had injured his right leg while running the bases and was replaced by pinch runner Cliff Remole. Czarniecki followed with a long bomb to left field off LHP Rowdy Hardy (2-5) for a 2-0 Travs lead.
Naturals CF Jose Duarte singled to start the bottom of the first then Angel Sanchez's fly into right field was dropped by Remole due to the winds. With runners at first and second base and no outs, Ortega picked Duarte off second base. Then he struck out Brian McFall and C Ben Johnson threw Sanchez out at second attempting to advance.
Hainley Statia hit a single to begin the second inning, and Hardy loaded the bases by hitting Ryan Leahy and walking Czarniecki with one out. Mike Collins drove in Statia with a deep sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.
Hardy kept the Travs off the scoreboard in the third and fourth, but Collins crossed up the Naturals leading off the fifth with a liner over first base and into the right-field corner for a triple. He later scored on a fielder's choice hit by Corey Smith.
Hardy left the game in the fifth inning after allowing four runs on six hits, two walks and two hit batters in 4.2 innings. RHP Greg Atencio relieved and Statia bounce a leadoff double down the first-base line in the sixth. Leahy put down a sacrifice bunt and Atencio attempted for a force at first base but threw the ball into the dirt and into foul grounds. Statia scored for a 5-0 lead.
The Naturals still hadn't gotten a runner past second base until Kila Kaaihue (12) hit a solo home run with two outs in the sixth inning.
Northwest Arkansas used RHP Kyle Crist for the seventh inning and he issued a leadoff walk to Johnson. Johnson took third base on a hit-and-run single by Brian Stavisky. A base hit to center by Drew Toussaint knocked in Johnson for a 6-1 lead.
Czarniecki doubled home Leahy in the eighth to bring in the last run of the game.
NOTES: Greenberg strained a small muscle in the back of his right knee, will be evaluated Friday night and is not expected to play Friday's game...Leahy reached base four different ways in the win by walk, hit by a pitch, an error and a base hit...Ortega ranks third in the Texas League with six victories...The Travs lead the Arkansas Diamond Series 8-6...Northwest Arkansas's magic number to win the division remains 11
Time of game was 2:40 and the paid attendance was 4,765.
BOXSCORE
The third game of the series set for Friday night will begin at 7:35 p.m. Arkansas has RHP Bobby Mosebach (4-3, 3.53) pitching against Naturals RHP Blake Johnson (5-3, 3.69).
Texas League Stories from June 6, 2008
- Travs down Nats - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards climb to within two games of first - Springfield Cardinals
- Hooks Hurlers Hang Hounds - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Robinson continues to torment Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Long ball dooms Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs Garner Four All Stars - Arkansas Travelers
- Clement to Pitch at Hammons on Sunday - Springfield Cardinals
- Seven RockHounds Named All-Stars - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Answer Nats With 7-1 Defeat - Arkansas Travelers
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