TL1 Arkansas Travelers

Travs Offense Explodes to Down Naturals

August 26, 2013 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


Springdale, AR-- Monday night at Arvest Ballpark the Arkansas Travelers scored eight runs in the first three innings, including five in the top of the third inning, to knock off the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 9-5. Randal Grichuk collected four hits in the game, and Mike Piazza pitched six innings to earn his second win in as many starts since rejoining the Travs.

Randal Grichuk picked up his first hit of the night in the top of the first inning against Jason Adam. Grichuk led off the game with a double, stole third base, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Robbie Widlansky.

However, the Naturals quickly responded in the bottom of the first inning by scoring a pair of runs to take the lead. Brett Eibner doubled to open the inning, and Jorge Bonifacio walked with one out to put two runners on base. With runners at first and second Arkansas RH Mike Piazza got Cheslor Cuthbert to pop up to Taylor Lindsey at second base. Now with two outs Piazza faced Lane Adams. Adams took advantage of the opportunity and hit a triple that plated both runners to give the Naturals the lead, 2-1.

After giving up the lead the Traveler offense got back to work in the top of the second inning. Adam retired the first two in the inning quickly, but proceeded to allow four consecutive hits with two outs. Travis Witherspoon triggered the rally with a single. Jett Bandy followed, and with Witherspoon off with the pitch, Bandy hooked a double down the line in left to score Witherspoon and tie the game at two. Grichuk followed, and after a wild pitch enabled Bandy to advance to third, Grichuk contributed his second hit of the game by reaching on an infield single to score Bandy, which gave the Travs their second one-run lead of the game, 3-2.

Piazza protected the one-run edge by stranding two Naturals on base in the second inning. Angel Franco doubled and Juan Graterol walked with one out, but Piazza struck out Eibner and Orlando Calixte to end the inning.

Arkansas broke the game open in the third inning, and chased Adam from the game. The Travs sent ten batters to the plate, and scored five times, as Adam exited having retired only one of the nine Travs that batted against him in the inning. Arkansas' first four batters reached in the inning with Widlansky scoring first. Kaleb Cowart added an RBI-single, and Randal Grichuk ended Adam's night by hitting a two-run double.

Northwest Arkansas called on Santiago Garrido in relief of Adam. Garrido was marred by control issues upon entering, and walked Taylor Lindsey to load the bases before he allowed a free pass to C.J. Cron that brought in a run, and put the Travs up 8-2.

Garrido bounced back and forced Widlansky to hit into a 5-4-3 ground ball double play to end the third inning.

Piazza returned in the third inning and shutdown the Naturals by retiring the side in order for the first time. Piazza closed his start with five scoreless innings, and left in line for his sixth win of the season.

Arkansas added to their edge in the fifth inning with singles by Bandy, Grichuk (fourth hit of the game), and Lindsey to load the bases. That brought Cron to the plate with still no outs, and Cron knocked in Bandy with a ground ball to second base.

Arkansas turned to Manny Correa to relieve Piazza in the seventh inning. Correa allowed a single to Juan Graterol, and then with two outs he issued a walk to Calixte. With two runners about Jorge Bonifacio stepped up and blasted a three-run homer to pull the Naturals within four, 9-5.

However, Correa settled in after allowing the long ball to Bonifacio, and proceeded the next seven that he faced to earn a rare three-inning save.

Mike Piazza improved to 6-2 with the victory, while Jason Adam fell to 8-11 with the loss.

All twelve Arkansas hits came in the first five innings, and nine of them came with Adam still in the game.

Arkansas concludes the 2013 regular season with a seven-game home stand that begins on Tuesday night against Springfield at 7:10 p.m. Arkansas starts RH Brandon Hynick in the first of four games against the Cardinals. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with the Travs Dugout Show on Sports Animal 920.

Check out the Arkansas Travelers Statistics



Texas League Stories from August 26, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central