Travs Go Twelve For Fourth Straight Win
June 7, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Drillers Stadium, Tulsa, OK - Jason Aspito's sinking fly ball to center knocked in the winning run as the Arkansas Travelers (21-37) posted their fourth straight win with a 5-4 victory in 12 innings over the Tulsa Drillers (35-24). Without a hit in four at-bats, Aspito's flare to center knocked in Matt Brown, who hit a one-out double off LHP Josh Newman (3-1). Arkansas' relief corps pitched very well with RHP Bill Edwards (5-2) leading the way with three no-hit innings for the win. RHP Kyle Edens (1) became the seventh Arkansas pitcher to record a save with a shutout 12th inning. The Travelers turned a season-high five double plays with SS Brandon Wood and 1B Greg Porter taking part in four twin killings. Brown finished 2-for-4 to extend a hitting streak to 13 games and he also reached on a walk and a hit-by-pitch plus he scored twice. Porter knocked in two runs with two singles and Wood homered (13) to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. The Travs sent Newman, a Texas League All-Star, to his first loss and the first runs he allowed over 19 appearances.
The Drillers got to Arkansas starter RHP Chris Hunter early with Troy Tulowitsky (9) and Joe Gaetti (6) each hitting a solo home run for a 2-0 lead.
Hunter did not allow another run even though he walked five batters and hit another. Hunter got out of a couple of jams with three double plays.
Tulsa starter RHP Juan Morillo struck out the side in the first inning and set down the first 4 batters he faced. However he walked Matt Pali in the fourth inning followed by a walk to Aspito. Down in the count 0-2, Porter poked a single to left field to bring home Pali for the Travs' first run.
Wood tied the game in the third inning with a two-out solo home run that sailed out of the ballpark onto 15th street.
Morillo allowed no runs or hits in the fourth and fifth innings, but he hit Wood to begin the sixth. After Wood stole second base, Brown worked a walk and Morillo got two fly outs. Porter then ripped a 1-0 fastball into right field for an RBI single that scored Wood while Brown advanced to second base. Morillo was replaced by RHP Jason Burch after allowing Brent Del Chiaro to reach with his fifth walk. Burch entered with the bases loaded, but Tulsa C Alvin Colina dropped a pitch for a passed ball that scored Brown for a 4-2 Arkansas lead.
RHP Aaron Pullin relieved Hunter for the sixth, but hit a batter and allowed a single to Joe Koshansky to put the tying runs on base. Colina attempted the lay down a sacrifice bunt, but Brown charged perfectly and wheeled the third base where Wood covered for the force out. Wood's relay to first forced out Colina for the fourth Arkansas double play.
Pullin held the lead until the eighth inning when he allowed a double to Ian Stewart and a walk to Koshansky with two outs. Colina sent a drive to center field for a double that tied the game.
Arkansas had Edwards enter in the ninth and no Tulsa batter reached on a hit or a walk. The only Driller batter to reach was 2B Doug Bernier on Wood's throwing error. But Wood picked up a ground ball by Tulowitsky and stepped on second before throwing to first for the Travs' fifth double play.
Tulsa had RHP Jim Miller pitch the eighth before All-Star RHP Manuel Corpas shut out the Travs over two innings.
Newman pitched around two walks in the 11th, but Brown lined a one-out double to left field in the 12th and scored when Aspito's hit fell in.
Time of game was 3:46 and the paid attendance was 3,839.
NOTES: The Travs are 5-5 in extra inning games while the Drillers are 4-1...Tulsa won 9 of the first 10 meetings against the Travs before losing the last two games...
The Travs go for their fifth win in a row on Thursday night at Tulsa. Arkansas RHP Jesse Smith (3-6, 4.86 ERA) will take the hill against Tulsa RHP Marc Kaiser (4-4, 5.11 ERA). First pitch at Drillers Stadium is set for 7:05 p.m.
Please call (501) 664-1555 or visit www.travs.com for game information.
Texas League Stories from June 7, 2006
- Hooks erupt for nine runs - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Springfield two back with eleven to play - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers fall in 12 - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Go Twelve For Fourth Straight Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Zack Greinke Starts Tonight - Wichita Wranglers
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