Travs Rally in 9th Inning to Win Second Straight
Published on July 17, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Springdale, Arkansas - Trailing for the first eight innings the Arkansas Travelers put together a three-run rally in the ninth inning for a stunning 6-4 victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Tuesday night at Arvest Ballpark. Angel Castillo, Jean Segura and Renny Osuna strung together two-out singles to knock in a run apiece in the deciding inning. Castillo also homered (5) and drove in a pair as the Travs picked up their fourth win in six games.
The Travs improve to 11-13 in the second half and remain tied for second place 6.5 games behind Springfield. Northwest Arkansas takes their sixth loss in a row and 14th loss in 15 games to fall to 5-19 in the second half.
Travs starter Matt Oye was strong on Tuesday allowed just two earned runs in 6.2 innings, but two errors led to two unearned runs. He was victimized in the first inning when Segura misplayed a ground by Paulo Orlando, then Brian Fletcher homered (5) for a 2-0 Naturals lead.
Orlando singled in the third inning and took third base when Fletcher singled to center. Johnny Whittleman's sacrifice fly put the Naturals up 3-0.
Sugar Ray Marimon held the Travs scoreless until a fourth inning solo home run (7) by Roberto Lopez. Ryan Mount doubled to begin the fifth inning then moved to third base on a groundout by Jimmy Swift. Carlos Ramirez knocked in Mount with an RBI groundout cutting the deficit to 3-2.
The Travs couldn't capitalize on changes to tie the game in the sixth and seventh innings leaving the tying run in scoring position each time. Brian Hernandez grounded into a double play leaving Segura at third in the sixth inning. Naturals reliever Buddy Baumann got Ramirez to bounce out to end the seventh inning.
Oye retired 12 of 13 batters until allowing a two-out single to Yem Prades in the seventh inning. Orlando then hit a high drive to left center field bringing Mount and Castillo together on the warning track. Castillo got there last and tried to make the catch but dropped the ball for a run-scoring error giving NWA a 4-2 lead.
Castillo got the Travs closer with his solo homer off Baumann in the eighth inning. Segura also reached base with a single, but was picked off first base by catcher Julio Rodriguez. The inning ended when Jon Keck got Brian Hernandez to ground to third base leaving Lopez at first base.
Keck came back for the ninth inning to attempt his first save. He issued a one-out walk to Mount and a two-out walk to Ramirez, who was replaced by pinch runner Tyson Auer. Castillo fell behind in the count 1-2 before shooting a hard comebacker off Keck's foot. The ball ricocheted into left field allowing Mount to score the tying run. Segura then singled up the middle for the go-ahead RBI. Osuna found the gap for a single to right field scoring Castillo for a 6-4 lead.
Ryan Chaffee (3-1) earned the win by tossing 1.1 shutout relief innings. Kevin Johnson (10) locked down the save with a perfect ninth inning.
Time of game was 2:50 and the paid attendance was 4,004.
The Travs go for their third straight win on Wednesday sending A.J. Schugel (4-7, 3.05) to the hill against Naturals righty Michael Mariot (3-2, 3.25). The game starts at 7:05 p.m.
Texas League Stories from July 17, 2012
- Travs Rally in 9th Inning to Win Second Straight - Arkansas Travelers
- Outman, Drillers Blank Cardinals - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions Mash Roughriders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Fall to Tulsa 7-0 - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals Fall in Heartbreaker - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, July 17 at Midland - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Double Header Scheduled for Wednesday, July 18th - Midland RockHounds
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