Travs pull away late, defeat Naturals 8-1
Published on April 26, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
LITTLE ROCK, AR- The first three games of this series was dictated by pitching, the fourth meeting was more of the same. Pitching prospects Dan Cortes and Trevor Reckling, met up in one of the best pitching match-ups so far this season. Reckling and the Arkansas Travelers, added seven runs late to defeat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 8-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Trevor Reckling, 19, made quite an impression during his Texas League debut. Reckling, who is the Los Angeles Angels second ranked pitching prospect, struck out the first three batters he faced at Dickey-Stephens Park. Reckling tossed six scoreless innings only allowing three hits and striking out four. He did issue three walks while facing 24 batters. Reckling (1-0) earns a victory during his first appearance in Double-A baseball.
Arkansas (7-9) sent Ryan Brasier to the mound for the final three innings. Brasier earned his second save of the season while allowing one unearned run, striking out three, and allowing just two hits. The Travs pitching staff confused the Naturals bats all weekend, and Sunday was no different.
Dan Cortes' best performance of the season was overshadowed by Reckling's impressive debut. For 5.2 innings Cortes did all he could to match the 19 year old from New Jersey. Cortes, a California native, allowed a season low two earned runs and just three hits during his outing. Cortes (0-3) would take the loss but this start was a step in the right direction for the talented right hander.
Carlos Sencion and Greg Holland struggled out of the bullpen for the Naturals (7-9). Sencion allowed three runs to score, two earned, thanks to a Hank Conger three run homerun in the bottom of the sixth. Holland gave up three earned runs during his two innings of work.
The Travs offense was also helped out by Wilberto Ortiz and Nate Sutton. Both players contributed two hits and two RBI.
Five different players had hits for the Naturals. Jordan Parraz and Brian McFall each picked up a double. Parraz would score the lone run of the day for the Naturals, in the top of the seventh.
The Naturals return to Springdale for an eight game home stand starting Monday night. The Springfield Cardinals and Arkansas Travelers will each play four games at Arvest Ballpark. Monday night's game will begin at 6:30 p.m. against Springfield.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.
Texas League Stories from April 26, 2009
- Cards Sweep Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Back Home Monday - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs pull away late, defeat Naturals 8-1 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Smoak on Water; Frisco Trips Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Down Naturals 8-1 Sunday To Take Series - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards Complete Sweep with 9-3 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions Do Everything Right to End Losing Streak - San Antonio Missions
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