Travs Pen Brilliant In 6-1 Win
Published on July 18, 2005 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Whataburger Field, Corpus Christi, TX - Six Arkansas pitchers combined on a four-hitter as the Travelers (11-13, 45-49) pulled out a 6-1 victory over the Corpus Christi Hooks (14-10, 41-53). With a hole in the starting rotation, the Travs emptied out the bullpen with RHP David Austen (1-1) earning his first Class AA win with two scoreless innings. RHP Mark O'Sullivan started the game with two perfect innings before Austen took over. RHP Von Stertzbach pitched the fifth and sixth while RHP Matt Wilhite, LHP Pedro Borbon, Jr. and RHP Alex Serrano finishing off the Hooks. Serrano went the last 1.1 innings for his fifth Texas League save. David Gates finished 2-for-4 with a home run (11) and a double. SS Ivan Reyes homered (1) in his Class AA debut, and Greg Porter added a solo home run (7).
The win gave the Travs a 2-1 series win in Corpus Christi for their second road series win of the season. They return home on Tuesday after going 3-4 on a seven-game road trip. The Travs won 3 of the last 4 games of the trip.
Corpus Christi started LHP Blake Allen, also pitching out of the bullpen, and he tossed two perfect innings but made one mistake in the third inning and left a two strike fastball over the heart of the plate. With one out in the third, Gates creamed the ball and it sailed over the left field wall for a 1-0 Travs lead.
Hooks RHP Fernando Rijo replaced Allen in the fifth inning. Gates reached with a one-out double to right field and came home when Reyes crushed a hanging slider over the left field wall for a two-run homer and a 3-0 Travs lead.
Austen left the game after tossing two shutout innings. Stertzbach relieved and allowed a solo home run to Charlton Jimerson in the fifth inning.
Rijo struggled with command in the sixth inning after Tommy Murphy singled to center with one out. Rijo walked Mike Napoli and Kendry Morales on four pitches each. Then Mike Eylward took a walk to force Murphy home for a 4-1 lead. RHP Monte Mansfield put out the fire by coming in from the bullpen and striking out two batters to leave the bases loaded.
Porter led off the ninth inning with a home run to right field (7), while the Travs added another run after Reggie Willits singled and stole his way to third base and scored when Howie Kendrick singled to center.
Time of game was 2:43 and the paid attendance was 7,104.
The Travs are off on Monday before beginning a five-game series in Little Rock against the Tulsa Drillers. On Tuesday, Arkansas RHP Kasey Olenberger (3-5, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against RHP Ubaldo Jiminez (1-1, 4.00 ERA). First pitch will be thrown at 7:10 p.m. Gates on Tuesday open at 6:10 p.m.
Please call (501) 664-1555 or visit www.travs.com for game information.
Texas League Stories from July 18, 2005
- Drillers swept by Midland - Tulsa Drillers
- Texas League news - TL1
- FSN Midwest To Televise Springfield Cardinals Game - Springfield Cardinals
- Promotions galore during upcoming homestand - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Pen Brilliant In 6-1 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Shutdown by Bullpen - Corpus Christi Hooks
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