Travs Blow Out Hounds Thursday Night
Published on July 9, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
MIDLAND, TEXAS - The Travelers offense broke out of the doldrums on Thursday night kicking off a six-game road trip with a 9-2 victory over the Midland RockHounds at Citibank Ballpark. Designated hitter Brenden Florence finished 4-for-5 with two runs scored to lead the club's 16-hit attack, while first baseman Mark Trumbo crushed a two-run homer (8) in a 3-for-5, 3 RBI effort. Trevor Reckling (W, 5-2) survived five shaky innings to earn the win in his final tune-up for the XM Radio Futures All-Star Game.
The Travs had lost eight of nine games including the last three in a sweep at the hands of the Frisco RoughRiders. Outscored 18-2 over the past two games, the Travs broke out the big sticks on Thursday with five extra-base hits including three triples. Centerfielder Peter Bourjos singled and hit his league-best tenth triple while scoring and knocking in two runs.
The Travs relief combo of righthanders Amalio Diaz, Fernando Rodriguez and Bryan Rembisz held the RockHounds to two base hits over the last four innings.
Midland starting pitcher Mike Madsen (L, 0-1) was shelled in the first inning and only made it through 1.2 innings surrendering four runs on six base hits in the loss.
Bourjos began the game with a single to center then stole second base. With one out, catcher Hank Conger lined a triple off the right-field warning track and scored when Trumbo bashed an 0-2 offering way over the left-field fence for a 3-0 lead.
Midland centerfielder Archie Gilbert doubled to begin the bottom of the first and advanced to third base on a fielder's choice. Matt Spencer's RBI single brought Gilbert in to cut the Travs lead to 3-1. Midland loaded the bases when Reckling walked Josh Donaldson, but three men were stranded as Reckling got Raul Padron to bounce to second base.
Reckling walked five batters and allowed six base hits but only two runs in his five inning start.
Madsen walked Chris Gutierrez to begin the second inning and he scored when shortstop Hainley Statia went opposite field for an RBI double into the left-field corner. Florence led off the third with a single against reliever Arnold Leon and was knocked in when right fielder Val Majewski tripled deep to right-center for a 5-1 Travs lead.
The last run Midland managed came on Mike Affronti's solo home run in the fourth inning bringing Midland within three runs.
Florence and Majewski reached to begin the fifth inning with infield singles then Gutierrez knocked in Florence with a single to center field. Two batters later Bourjos chopped a triple past third base and down the left-field line off Mike Benacka for a 8-2 lead.
Trumbo collected the last RBI of the game with an infield single in the eighth scoring Bourjos.
The time of game was 3:00 and the paid attendance was 4,056.
The second game of the series is set for 7:00 on Friday night. Arkansas right hander Tommy Mendoza (6-4, 3.11) is scheduled to pitch against Midland righty Daniel Barone (0-2, 9.75).
NOTE: Before the game right handed reliever Ryan Aldridge joined the Travelers after pitching in six games at Tempe during a rehab assignment. Aldridge, 25, pitched in 17 games for the Travs during the 2008 season holding a 2-0 record and 5 saves and a 3.18 ERA.
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