Travs Down Drillers on Late Rally
Published on August 25, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
North Little Rock - Roberto Lopez provided the game-winning hit with a single in the eighth inning as the Arkansas Travelers picked up a 5-4 victory over the Tulsa Drillers on Wednesday night at Dickey-Stephens Park. Lopez's hit past a drawn-up infield knocked in Efren Navarro and Jeremy Moore to break a 3-3 tie that had lasted for five innings. Navarro continued his torrid pace with three base hits including a home run (6) and a double and is hitting .458 in his last six games.
With wins in seven of ten games the Travs hold a 27-31 second half record (53-74 overall) while the Drillers fall to 32-26 in the second half (61-66 overall). The Travs pick up a game on Northwest Arkansas, who lost to Springfield on Wednesday, and are eight games out with 12 games remaining.
Early in the game it seemed that a slugfest was looming as both clubs scored three runs in the first two innings. Both starting pitchers settled in though and the game remained tied for five innings until the Travs finally broke through.
Ryan Brasier started for the Travs and was shaky over five innings with five hits and five walks plus two wild pitches. Brasier allowed a home run for the eighth consecutive game and threw 109 pitches in just five innings.
In the first inning, Tulsa left fielder Anthony Jackson led off the first inning with a double then Brasier walked Charlie Blackmon. Bronson Sardinha bounced to shortstop beginning a double play, but Jackson advanced to third base. Brasier walked Jason Van Kooten putting runners at first and third then went to a full count on Jeff Kindel. Before throwing the payoff pitch, Brasier attempted to pick off Van Kooten at first base but Navarro was no longer covering the bag resulting in a run-scoring balk.
The Travs got that back and then some off Cory Riordan in the first inning. Ryan Mount singled with one out, and Navarro followed with a line drive home run to right-center for a 2-1 Travs lead.
Tulsa designated hitter Scott Beerer led off the second with a home run (4) to right-center to tie the game. Lars Davis followed with a single and advanced to second base when Matt Repec singled to left. Jackson hit a hard grounder to Andrew Romine at shortstop who flipped for Nieves at second base to start a double play. But Jackson beat Nieves's throw, which bounced away for an error bringing Davis home for a 3-2 Tulsa lead.
Again the Travs answered quickly as Nieves lined a first-pitch home run over the right-field wall tying the game, at 3-3.
Brasier shutout the Drillers during the third, fourth and fifth innings but almost didn't make it out of the fifth. After back-to-back walks and a wild pitch Braiser had runners at second and third base with one out. Brasier bounced back though and struck out Jeff Kindel and Scott Beerer before handing the game to the bullpen.
Jeremy Haynes (3-0) entered the game in the sixth inning and earned his second win in as many outings going three scoreless frames. He allowed just two base hits and a walk while adding four strikeouts.
Tulsa starter Cory Riordan held the Travs to just three base hits in his last five innings leaving with a 3-3 tie score. Chris Malone (3-4) replaced Riordan for the eighth inning but allowed a leadoff single to Navarro. After the first out Jeremy Moore found a gap through the right side of the infield for a single that moved Navarro to third base. Sardinha overran the ball in right field giving Moore second base. Then Lopez punched the next pitch to left field for a two-run single.
Ysmael Carmona came on for the ninth inning and Jackson reached when his hard chopped took a bounce off Navarro for an error. Charlie Blackmon singled to right field sending Jackson to third base. But Carmona induced Sardinha into a 4-6-3 double play that scored Jackson. He secured his 12th save when Van Kooten flied out to center.
Time of game was 2:35 and the paid attendance was 3,807.
The third game of this series is set for 7:10 p.m. on Thursday night. Left hander Trevor Reckling (2-4, 3.88) takes the mound for the Travs while Tulsa counters with Keith Weiser (8-8, 4.35).
Be sure to tune into Sports Animal 920 am at 6:50 for all your Travs baseball coverage.
Texas League Stories from August 25, 2010
- Travs Down Drillers on Late Rally - Arkansas Travelers
- RockHounds Are All-Wright - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Miss Opportunity with Loss - Tulsa Drillers
- 'Riders Are Walk-Off Winners for the Second Straight Night - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Trounced by Springfield - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Springfield Blasts Way Past NW Arkansas 8-2 - Springfield Cardinals
- Final Regular Season Homestand Begins Saturday - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Release 2011 Schedule - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs Named NLR Chamber Business of the Year - Arkansas Travelers
- RockHounds Season Winding Down - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Top Travs 8-1 - Arkansas Travelers
- A Day In The Life - Midland RockHounds
- Butler Caps Wild Night with Winning Hit in 13th - Frisco RoughRiders
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