TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Travs Lose Second Doubleheader Of Week

Published on June 11, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


North Little Rock- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals continued their domination over the Arkansas Travelers sweeping a doubleheader on Friday night at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Naturals rode the strength of a four-run first inning to pick up a 4-2 victory in the opener. Another big inning did in the Travs during the nightcap as the Naturals rallied in the fourth for five runs en route to a 7-4 win. The Travs struggles against their in-state rivals amounts to a 3-12 record versus NWA with losses in 10 of their last 11 meetings.

With their losing streak now at six games, the Travs record is 21-37. The Naturals own wins in six of seven to push their record to 36-23.

GAME ONE

The Naturals had a four run first inning giving them an early lead, but the Travs shut them out for the rest of the game. Although the Travs outhit the Naturals, they couldn't get the big hit when they needed it, leaving three runners stranded in scoring position and allowing the four run first to be their downfall.

The Travs started right-hander Jeremy Thorne (2-2) for the first game. Thorne threw six innings giving up seven hits and four runs before leaving the game, and turning things over to Jeremy Haynes. Haynes threw one inning and facing only three batters. The Naturals started lefty Edgar Osuna (6-2) and he earned his sixth win, throwing six innings giving up eight hits and two runs. Patrick Keating (1) got the ball in the bottom of the seventh inning and earned his first save only facing three batters.

The Naturals came out in the first inning swinging. Derrick Robinson led off with a single up the middle, and he was moved to third after stealing second and Travs catcher Alberto Rosorio sent a throw sailing into center field to move him to third. Johnny Giavotella came up next and doubled down the left field line to score Robinson. Mike Moustakas (14) was next to the plate, and he belted an opposite field home run to left to make the score 3-0. Thorne got Clint Robinson to line to first for the first out of the inning. Nick Van Stratten doubled to left to put a runner on second with one out. Tim Smith grounded to second moving Van Stratten to third with two outs. Anthony Seratelli singled to left driving in Van Stratten to make the score 4-0. Chris McConnell came to the plate and grounded out to second to finally end the inning.

The Travs posted their first run in the bottom of the second inning after a one out single by Jeremy Moore. Moore was moved to third base after a single by Clay Fuller, putting runners on the corners with one out. Efren Navarro grounded to short for the second out, but it was enough to score Moore making the score 4-1. Osuna then got Kevin Ramos to strike out to end the inning.

The Travs scored their second run of the game on a double steal in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ramos hit into a fielder's choice for the first out, but was moved to second by a Rosario single. Colmenares also hit into a fielder's choice for the second out leaving runners on the corners. Andrew Romine came up with a chance to drive in an RBI, but while he was batting, Colmenares attempted to steal second base. On the throw down to second Ramos stole home, and the second basemen couldn't return the throw allowing Ramos to score the Travs second run. Osuna then got Romine to strike out to end the inning.

Haynes came in to pitch the top of the seventh, and hold the Naturals at their four runs. Haynes did just that getting two ground balls and a pop fly keeping the score 4-2.

Keating came in for the Naturals in the bottom of the seventh to finish the game for Northwest Arkansas. Ramos was the first Trav Keating faced and was struck out for out number one. Brian Walker entered for Rosario in the top of the sixth, and stayed in to hit in the seventh. Walker grounded out to third for the second out. Colmenares was the Travs last chance, and Keating got him to ground out to third for the final out leaving the score 4-2.

GAME TWO

Travs started right-hander Ryan Braiser (4-6) who recorded his sixth loss of the season. Braiser pitched four innings giving up six hits and seven runs. The Naturals started Aaron Crow (3-5) who picked up his third win of the season. Crow threw five innings giving up five hits and four runs. Brandon Sisk (6) earned his sixth save of the season after facing one batter in the seventh inning, getting Moore to strikeout.

The second game started off with Derrick Robinson hitting a double down the right field line. Giavotella grounded to second for the first out, moving Robinson to third. Moustakas came up and grounded to first for the second out, but it got the Naturals first run across the plate. Clint Robinson grounded to second for the last out leaving the score at 1-0.

The Naturals put up one more run in the top of the third inning making the score 2-0. Paulo Orlando led off with a hit and was sacrificed to second by Robinson. Orlando then moved to third and scored on two pass balls that got passed Travs catcher Brian Walker.

The Naturals increased their lead by five in the top of the fourth making the score 7-0. Clint Robinson led things off with a double down the right field line, and he was scored after Jeff Howell followed with a double of his own. Ernesto Mejia (4) came up and hit a two run home run making the score 5-0. Orlando walked and stole second to put a runner on second with one out. McConnell walked putting runners on first and second, but they were moved up by a wild pitch by Brasier. Robinson stepped up and hit a double to right scoring both runners making the score 7-0. Brasier got the next two Naturals out with a pop fly to right and a strike out to end the inning.

The Travs scored their first runs of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Romine led things off with a walk and was moved to second on a single by Ryan Mount. Roberto Lopez hit a deep fly ball to left that moved the runners to second and third with one out. Moore came up and singled to left and scored both runners. Moore advanced to second, and then to third on a throwing error by Naturals catcher Howell. Walker came to the plate and singled to score Moore making the score 7-3. Ramos struck out for out number two, followed by a fly ball to center by Navarro for out number three.

The Travs added one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lopez led off with a walk and was moved to second on a single by Moore. Walker then hit a ground ball to second moving the runners to second and third with one out. Ramos then grounded to first driving in Lopez and making the score 7-4 with two outs. Navarro then grounded to short to end the inning leaving the score at 7-4 and that's how the game would stay.

The Travs return to the field on Saturday against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The Travs will start lefty Mike Anton (2-5, 4.94) against Naturals right-hander Blake Johnson (0-0, 4.15). The game will start at 7:10 and gates will open at 6.

Be sure to tune into Sports Animal 920 am at 6:40 for all your Travs baseball coverage beginning at 6:50 p.m.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 11, 2010


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