Travs Drop Rain Shortened Opener 3-2
Published on April 3, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas - Mother Nature stole the show in the top of the 8th inning Thursday night with the RockHounds leading the Travs 3-2. The game was delayed at 9:23 and officially called at 9:42. The rain and lightning started in the 7th and both teams were hopeful that the game could be completed before the skies opened up.
RHP Michael Madsen (1-0) pitched a fine game for Midland, going six innings while giving up two runs, one earned. Madsen got some help defensively from CF Michael Massaro who made a diving catch to end the 3rd on a Chris Pettit line drive with the bases loaded. Had the ball gotten past Massaro, at least two runs would have score and would have at least tied the game. Madsen's only true blemish came in the 4th inning after a two-base throwing error by third baseman Myron Leslie on a Michael Collins grounder. The next batter, catcher Ben Johnson deposited the first pitch he saw over the right field fence for a two-run homer to tie the game. Following Madsen in relief was LHP Justin Dowdy. Dowdy retired all three batters he faced when Midland catcher Anthony Recker gunned down Nate Sutton trying to steal second to end the inning.
Travs starter Fernando Rodriguez (0-1) started to settle down after dancing with danger in the first two innings, retiring nine in a row from the end of the 2nd to the first out of the 5th. What turned out to only be a one-run first inning could have been worse had Rodriguez not picked off Cliff Pennington after walking him on four pitches to start the game. Rodriguez ended up earning a quality start, meeting the minimum requirements, six innings pitched, while allowing three earned runs. Midland got their third run in the top of the 5th on an RBI double by first baseman Tommy Everidge. Right-hander Bill Edwards entered the game in the 7th inning and pitched up until the game was called in the 8th with the bases full of RockHounds and no outs.
The rain wasn't the only think to dampen the spirits of the Travelers. In the top of the 5th, RF Chris Pettit left the game with what is thought to be a broken foot. He is scheduled to receive x-rays tomorrow that will reveal more about the injury. Taking his spot in right field was catcher Ben Johnson. Back-up catcher Tim Duff came in to catch and bat third for the injured Angels' 2007 Minor League Player of the Year.
The Travs are back in action Friday night at 7:10 with RHP Brok Butcher going against RHP Vincent Mazzaro for the RockHounds. Arkansas will close out the series with Midland on Saturday, sending RHP Anthony Orgega to face Midland right-hander Andrew Bailey.
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