Travs Survive in Home Opener, 9-8
April 12, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
North Little Rock, AR-Racing out to an early lead, the Arkansas Travelers had to hang on but won their home opener over the Tulsa Drillers, 9-8 on Thursday night at Dickey-Stephens Park. The win boosts the Travs to 7-1 on the season, their best start since 2005. Jake Fraley crushed a three-run homer, the only hit in a four-run second inning that staked Arkansas to the early lead. The Travs added a pair of runs in both the fourth and sixth innings, building their lead to as many as seven. With just eight hits in the game, the Travs took advantage of six walks and two batters hit by a pitch. Zac Grotz was brilliant in a short start, working four innings of no hit baseball while surrendering just a pair of hit batsmen. After Tulsa strung together their late rally, Art Warren slammed the door in the ninth for his third save. Aaron Knapp had a pair of run scoring hits for the Travs including an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning that turned out to be the difference in the game.
Moments That Mattered
* The first run of the night came as a result of a double steal with Donnie Walton taking second and Chris Mariscal swiping home. Two batters later, Fraley crushed his three-run blast.
* Knapp made Tulsa pay for three walks in the sixth inning with a two-run single that pushed the lead out to seven.
* Warren struck out Cristian Santana to end the game after Tulsa had closed within one and put the tying run on base.
Notable Travs Performances
* CF Jake Fraley: 1-4, HBP, run, HR, 3 RBI
* LF Aaron Knapp: 2-2, 3 RBI
* RHP Zac Grotz: 4 IP, 2 HBP, 6 K
Up Next
Game two of the series is Friday night with a 7:10 first pitch. Lefty Anthony Misiewicz (0-1, 1.69) gets the start for the Travs against a yet to be announced pitcher for Tulsa. It is the first Diamantes Night of the season and there is a postgame fireworks show. The game will also be broadcast on the Sports Animal 920, the First Pitch App, TuneIn radio and milb.tv.
Texas League Stories from April 12, 2019
- Bullpen Strong in Drillers Victory over Travs - Tulsa Drillers
- Sod Poodles Cruise Friday Night - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cardinals Rally Late, Naturals Fall 11-7 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Reed Homers for a Third Consecutive Night, Sod Poodles Win Two Straight - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Riders Stave off Late Comeback to Win 9-8 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Saturday's Game Time Changed to 12:10pm, Gregerson to Rehab - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Game Day Ticket Subscription - Arkansas Travelers
- Comeback Bid Falls Short - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Lopez Walks It off for Cardinals in Home Opener - Springfield Cardinals
- Buddy Reed Homers Twice in 10-8 Win over Corpus Christi - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Dunshee Strikes out Eight in Loss to Frisco - Midland RockHounds
- Springfield Outlast the Naturals, 12-11 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs Survive in Home Opener, 9-8 - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Win Streak Snapped at Four - Tulsa Drillers
- Riders Start Fast En Route to 5-2 Victory - Frisco RoughRiders
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