Travs Start Second Half With 9-5 Win
Published on June 19, 2007 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Hammons Field, Springfield, MO - Cody Fuller drove in three runs, while Greg Porter and Sean Rodriguez each collected two RBI helping the Arkansas Travelers (1-0, 32-39) to a 9-5 victory over the Springfield Cardinals (0-1, 36-32) in the opening game of the season's second half. Fuller finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored plus a stolen base. Porter cracked a double in the third inning for his two RBI, while Rodriguez had an RBI single and his third home run in four games, a solo home run (9) in the ninth inning. Arkansas RHP Fernando Rodriguez (4-1) won his second straight start by battling through six innings allowing just three runs on ten hits, one walk and three strikeouts. Now on a four-game winning streak, the Travs have pulled out victories in seven of eight games during the current road trip.
For the fourth game in a row, the Travs scored the first run and it came with two outs in the second inning. Aaron Peel stroked a line drive that Mark Shorey misjudged in left field allowing the ball to sail over his head for a double. Collins then shot a hard grounder inside first base to score Peel for a 1-0 Travs lead. Collins is now on a seven-game hitting streak after finishing 2-for-4 with two doubles Tuesday night.
The Cardinals tied the game on the first pitch of the second inning from Rodriguez. Juan Richardson smacked a line drive home run to left to tie the game, at 1-1. The Cardinals then loaded the bases with one out, but Rodriguez induced a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Mike Ferris to leave two in scoring position.
After the first out of the top of the third inning, Daniels walked Adam Morrissey bringing up Freddy Sandoval. He hit a squibber that got past the mound towards second base. Jarrett Hoffpauir fielded the ball and attempted to tag Morrissey to start a double play. The baserunner juked Hoffpauir and he missed the tag, then the throw to first base was dropped by Mark Hamilton for an error. Sean Rodriguez followed with a single to right bringing home Morrissey. Porter then lined a pitch over the centerfielder's head for a two-run double and a 4-1 Travs lead.
Springfield tallied two runs in the bottom of the third inning beginning with a one-out solo home run by Hoffpauir (5). Colby Rasmus then singled to right and stole second base before scoring on a two-out single by Bryan Anderson cutting the Travs lead to 4-3.
Rodriguez left a runner at second base in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, and he left seven runners on base during his six-inning stint.
Bobby Wilson started the sixth inning with a single to center, and the Cardinals guarded closely at third base for a bunt with Peel batting. Instead of bunting, Peel hit a high chopper over Richardson's head at third base for a single. Daniels left after walking Ryan Leahy with one out. RHP Nick Webber relieved him and allowed Fuller's bases-loaded double into the left-field corner.
Springfield had RHP Michael Cooper pitch the eighth inning and he was touched for two more runs. Collins stroked a one-out book-rule double to right field. Two batters later, Fuller smacked a single to center chasing Collins home. Then Fuller swiped second base and Morrissey followed with a ground ball single to right. Fuller slid into the plate just ahead of the throw home giving the Travs an 8-3 lead.
LHP Kevin Ool worked the ninth for the Cardinals, and Rodriguez smacked his first pitch over the right-field wall giving the Travs a 9-3 lead.
The Cards touched RHP Chris Saenz for two runs in the ninth inning on Anderson's fourth base hit of the night, a two-out two-run double.
The time of game was 2:51 and the paid attendance was 6,895.
If you would like to see the boxscore from tonight's game click this link.
The Travs go for their first four-game sweep of the baseball season Wednesay night in the closing game of this nine-game road trip. Arkansas has RHP Amalio Diaz (0-2, 4.65 ERA) pitching against Springfield RHP Mitch Boggs (6-3, 4.22 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.
Texas League Stories from June 19, 2007
- Reynolds, Hochevar Shine in Historic Match-Up - Tulsa Drillers
- RoughRiders Fall in Second Half Opener - Frisco RoughRiders
- Travs Start Second Half With 9-5 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards Drop Second Half Opener - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions Blast Three Bombs, Edge Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
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