Travs Drop Series Opener to Naturals
Published on June 9, 2018 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
North Little Rock, AR - The race for the North Division first half crown tightened a little more on Saturday night as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals defeated the Arkansas Travelers by a 6-2 count in front of a crowd of 7,338 at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Travs remain alone in first place thanks to Springfield's loss to Tulsa but the Cardinals and Naturals are now both just one game back. Arkansas never led in the contest as they couldn't take advantage of early wildness from Naturals' starter Emilio Ogando who walked six in the first five innings but surrendered only three hits in that time. Johendi Jiminian was limited to 2.1 innings in his second start back from the disabled list and the first two men out of the bullpen, Spencer Herrmann and Stephen Perakslis were both tagged for multiple runs. Arkansas finished the night just 3-12 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base while seeing their pitching staff allow 21 runners on the night.
Moments That Mattered
* Braden Bishop tied the score at one with a two out RBI single in the second inning.
* With two out and none on in the top of the sixth, four consecutive Naturals reached base capped by a Nicky Lopez RBI single and a two-run double by Elier Hernandez on consecutive pitches.
* The Travs had a run home and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning but could not cut into the deficit more. Eric Filia's lined shot off the pitcher resulted in a force out at home plate. Then Joey Curletta smashed a one-hop shot that was stabbed by the third baseman as he was falling down, but recovered to throw out Curletta.
Notable Travs Performances
* 1B Joey Curletta: 1-2, 3 BB
* SS Yonathan Mendoza: 2-4
* Art Warren: IP, H, BB, K...came off disabled list for first appearance since April
Up Next
The Travs look to bounce back in a Sunday day game. RH Williams Perez (0-0, 0.00) makes the start against RH Andres Machado (0-2, 5.18). First pitch is at 2:10 and fans can play catch on the field pregame before kids get to run the bases afterwards. The game will also be broadcast on the Sports Animal 920, the First Pitch App, TuneIn radio and milb.tv.
Texas League Stories from June 9, 2018
- Cardinals Remain a Game out of 1st Despite 6-2 Loss to Drillers - Springfield Cardinals
- Robinson's Bat Backs Sopko's Strong Start in 6-2 Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Drop Series Opener to Naturals - Arkansas Travelers
- Hernandez Trio of RBIs and Strong Pitching Gets Naturals 6-2 Win over Travelers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Elvis Andrus Scheduled to Rehab with Riders Starting Monday - Frisco RoughRiders
- Whitley Dazzles in Debut, De Goti Goes Deep Twice - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers Drop Series Finale 8-6 - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Cling to 7-6 Win for Series Split - Springfield Cardinals
- Early Offense Carries Travs to Win over Tulsa - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals Hold on to Split Series with Cardinals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Chanclas Take Series After Wild Ninth at the Wolff - San Antonio Missions
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