Travs Struggles Continue in 4-0 Loss
Published on June 18, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
North Little Rock, Arkansas - The second half of the Texas League season began on Tuesday night with two Northwest Arkansas Naturals pitchers combining on a three-hitter in a 4-0 victory over the Arkansas Travelers. Right hander Sugar Ray Marimon (4-8) allowed just two hits over seven innings and added seven strikeouts to earn his second win in a row. Naturals first baseman Matt Fields delivered three runs batted in during a 2-for-4 night.
With losses in five of their last six games, the Travs (0-1, 33-37) have also lost six of their last seven meetings against Northwest Arkansas. The Naturals (1-0, 26-45) own a four-game winning streak, their longest of the season, and have wins in six of the last seven games with the Travs.
The Travs had a chance to get ahead of Marimon in the second inning when third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert dropped a ground ball allowing C.J. Cron to reach base. Kaleb Cowart's hard smash was gloves by Fields at first base and he threw to Orlando Calixte at second to force Cron. Calixte's return throw sailed into the first-base dugout for another error giving Cowart second. He took third base on a passed ball before Travis Witherspoon walked. With Drew Heid batting Marimon tried three times to pick off Witherspoon off at first base and was successful on the third try to end the inning.
Naturals catcher Manny Pina led off the third inning with a single before being forced out at second on a fielder's choice hit by Rey Navarro. Brett Eibner singled then Correa walked Orlando Calixte putting three runners on base. Correa struck out Brian Fletcher and was close to getting out of the inning before Fields rolled a single to left field scoring two runs.
The best opportunity for the Travs to score came in the fourth inning when Jimmy Swift led off being hit by a pitch. Taylor Lindsey dropped a bloop single to left field moving Lindsey to third base with no outs. Marimon got Randal Grichuk to fly out to medium depth center and Swift held third base. Cron also flied out to short centerfield and Cowart struck out on three pitches to end the inning.
Fields struck again in the fifth inning knocking in Eibner with a one-out single. Eibner hit a leadoff double and took third on a sacrifice by Orlando Calixte. Before Fields's base hit, Brian Fletcher walked, stole second base and moved to third on Fields's single. Cuthbert hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Fletcher for a 4-0 Naturals lead.
Manny Correa (3-7) took his third straight losing decision allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings.
The Travs bullpen retired all 14 Naturals batters over four perfect innings. Ryan Chaffee fired two innings and struck out three. Elvin Ramirez and Michael Cisco each tossed one perfect inning.
The Naturals used Santiago Garrido to close the game over the final two innings. All he allowed was a double in the ninth inning by Cron.
The home stand finale is set for Wednesday night with Lay Batista (3-6, 3.82) on the mound for the Travs while the Naturals counter with right hander Aaron Brooks (2-0, 3.00). First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.
Texas League Stories from June 18, 2013
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- Fifth-Inning Slam Propels Midland Past 'Riders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Travs Struggles Continue in 4-0 Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- Sugar Shuts Down Travelers in Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- First-Half Champion Drillers Back Home Thursday - Tulsa Drillers
- RockHounds Close Out First Half - Midland RockHounds
- Naturals Begin Second Half Tonight - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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