Travs Stumble in Opener at Frisco
Published on July 4, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
FRISCO, TEXAS - Engel Beltre drove in five runs including the winner with a sacrifice fly helping the Frisco RoughRiders to a come-from-behind 8-7 victory over the Arkansas Travelers on Sunday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark. The Travs failed to hold three separate leads including two leads of three runs. Beltre went 3-for-3 with two singles, a home run (1) and two sacrifice flies, the last one coming in the eighth inning to score Renny Osuna for the go-ahead run.
With losses in six of eight games including three losses in four games on their road trip, the Travs are 4-6 in the second half and 30-50 overall. Frisco wins for the tenth time in 11 games pushing their second half record to 9-1 and 47-32 overall.
Right fielder Roberto Lopez drove in four runs leading the Travs offensively. He knocked in the game's first run off Martin Perez in the second inning bringing in Jeremy Moore with a sacrifice fly. Moore had tripled with one out to extend a hitting streak to nine games.
The RoughRiders answered starting pitcher Michael Anton in the third inning with a run on two infield singles. Anton issued four walks during a 3.2 inning start, including a leadoff walk to Guilder Rodriguez in the third. Anton then dropped a bunt by Endy Chavez for a single followed by a sacrifice bunt from Matt Lawson. Beltre drove in the tying run with a slow roller to second base for an infield single.
The Travs loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth inning on singles by Abel Nieves, Alexi Amarista and Julio Perez. Moore hit a liner that was dropped at the mound by Perez, then he threw wildly attempting a force at home allowing Nieves and Amarista to score. Perez took third base on the play and scored on a groundout by Lopez for a 4-1 Travs lead.
Anton failed to get out of the fourth inning allowing a one-out walk to Andy Jenkins followed by a wild pitch. Osuna, who was 3-for-4, singled to move Jenkins to third. He scored on a sacrifice fly from Rodriguez while Osuna crossed the plate when Endy Chavez singled to center to end Anton's night. Andrew Taylor preserved the lead by striking Lawson out.
Beltre evened the score at 4-4 when he hit Taylor's first pitch of the fifth inning over the right field fence.
Perez hadn't walked a batter until putting Amarista on base to begin the sixth inning. With Julio Perez batting, Amarista took second base on a wild pitch then stole third when Perez walked. With runners at the corners Moore put the Travs up 5-4 with a sacrifice fly to left field. Lopez then smacked a two-run homer (3) to end the night for Perez with seven runs allowed (five earned) on six base hits, two walks and five strikeouts. Evan Reed relieved and allowed Efren Navarro to double. But Reed picked Navarro off just before giving up another double to the next batter Anel De Los Santos. Kevin Ramos lined out to shortstop to end the inning with the Travs leading 7-4.
Taylor returned for the sixth and gave up the Travs third leadoff walk putting Jenkins on base. Osuna singled to right field and Rodriguez bunted safely loading the bases. After the first out, Taylor was removed in favor of Ryan Brasier. Lawson greeted him with a two-run single to move the tying run to third base. Rodriguez scored to tie the game at 7-7 on Beltre's first sacrifice fly.
The last ten Travs batters went down in order, with Adalberto Flores (2-2) striking out all three batters he faced in the top of the eighth.
Back on the mound after pitching a shutout seventh inning, Brasier gave up a leadoff double to Osuna. Rodriguez sacrificed to move Osuna to third base. Beltre's sacrifice fly, the third of the night by Frisco, off Jeremy Haynes gave Frisco their only lead of the night 8-7.
Cody Eppley (8) finished the game with a perfect ninth inning.
Time of game was 3:02 and the paid attendance was 11,598.
Game two of this three-game series on Monday features Trevor Reckling (0-0, 0.00) returning to the mound while the RoughRiders send out Texas League wins leader Balek Beavan (10-4, 2.50). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. and the broadcast on Sports Animal 920 AM begins at 6:40 p.m.
Texas League Stories from July 4, 2010
- Drillers Post 4th Straight Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Stumble in Opener at Frisco - Arkansas Travelers
- Santiago Shackles Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Naturals Dump Hooks Sunday Night - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- At Least It Didn't Rain - Midland RockHounds
- Springfield Wins in Extra Innings, 3-2 - Springfield Cardinals
- 'Riders Rally for Third Straight Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- C Manny Pina Transferred to Omaha - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs Split Doubleheader at Midland - Arkansas Travelers
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