Travs Blow Early Lead, Lose 7-6 In Ten
Published on August 8, 2007 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock, AR - Ray Sadler's two-out bloop single knocked in Todd Self with the winning run as the Corpus Christi Hooks (23-21, 54-60) pulled out a 7-6 victory over the Arkansas Travelers (23-21, 54-60). Self had poked a single off RHP Darren O'Day (2-3), then stole his second base of the season before scoring on Sadler's third hit of the game. The Travs had a 4-0 lead after a ten-batter rally in the second inning, but the Hooks rallied to tie in the top of the third on a grand slam hit by DH J.R. Towles (11). The Hooks carried a 6-4 lead in the eighth inning, but Travs DH Freddy Sandoval tied the game with a two-run double. The Travs had many chances to score, but left 12 men on base inlcluding eight in scoring position. In a no-decision, Arkansas starter RHP Nick Green got through just five innings allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and three strikeouts. Corpus Christi started RHP Jimmy Barthmaier and he allowed four runs on ten base hits, two walks and five strikeouts. Hooks RHP Sammy Gervacio (1-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief. The Travs have dropped all seven meetings to Corpus Christi this season.
The Travs got in front with a second-inning rally where the first six batters reached base safely against Barthmaier. Mike Collins and Matt Pali hit singles to put two runners on base. 3B Ryan Leahy followed with a hard ground ball single to right field scoring Collins for a 1-0 lead. Coby Smith laid down a bunt single to load the bases with no outs, and CF Brad Coon followed with a single to center field for a 3-0 lead. After Barthmaier hit Adam Morrissey to load the bases, Sandoval bounced into a fielder's choice with Smith forced out at home. Barthmaier struck out Sean Rodriguez, but walked Ben Johnson on four pitches to force in the fourth run.
Corpus Christi got singles from Lou Santangelo and Tommy Manzella to open up the top of the third. With one out, Maysonet hit a possible double-play grounder to third base, but it went between Leahy's legs for an error instead. Towles then hit a shot over the left field wall for a game-tying grand slam.
After the grand slam, Green set down five straight batters before Manzella hit a triple to left-center to begin the fifth. Drew Sutton knocked him in with the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to right field.
The Hooks added to their lead against RHP David Austen, when Sadler connected on a sixth-inning leadoff home run (19).
Down 6-4, the Travs made a move in the eighth inning against LHP Josh Muecke. After he held them hitless through three innings, Smith drew a leadoff walk in a 13-pitch at-bat. Coon then rolled to shortstop and beat the throw for a single putting runners at the corners. The Hooks changed pitchers bringing in Gervacio and he struck out Morrissey before Sandoval ripped a double into the right-field corners to tie the game, at 6-6. Sandoval advanced to third on the throw home and the Travs had the go-ahead run at third base with just one out. But Gervacio struck out Rodriguez on three pitchers before intentionally walking Johnson. Collins then went down swinging on three pitchers to end the inning.
Neither team threatened in the ninth inning and the first two batters went down against O'Day in the tenth. But Self singled through the shortstop hole and stole second base on O'Day and Johnson. Sadler then lifted a fly ball into shallow right field that landed in front of Pali to score the winning run.
Corpus Christi RHP Kyle Middleton relieved for the bottom of the tenth and pitched around a one-out walk when Sandoval was induced into a game-ending double play giving Middleton his 18th save.
Time of game was 3;07 and the paid attendance was 4,172.
To see tonight's box score please click here.
The Travs and Hooks return to action Thursday night at Dickey-Stephens Park. Arkansas plans on RHP Nick Adenhart (8-5, 3.27 ERA) pitching against Corpus Christi RHP Felipe Paulino (4-7, 3.78 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. and the gates open at 6:10 p.m.
Texas League Stories from August 8, 2007
- Travs Blow Early Lead, Lose 7-6 In Ten - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Win in Fresno - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions Blast Cards on Wednesday - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers' late runs too much for 'Riders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Hooks Update - Corpus Christi Hooks
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