Travs Win Second Straight At C.C.
Published on August 9, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Whataburger Field, Corpus Christi, Texas - The Travs wrapped up the first half of their six-game road trip with a 3-2 victory on Friday night over the Hooks. Brian Stavisky homered (14) and finished 2-for-4 while Adam Morrissey also collected two hits and scored a run. Corey Smith's home-run streak ended at four games, although he came close to another dinger when he doubled off the centerfield fence. Corpus Christi twice had the tying run at third base and less than two outs, but failed to score. Four Travs pitchers combined to hold Corpus Christi to just four base hits as the Travs won the series 2-to-1.
Amalio Diaz (3-2) earned his third consecutive win although his control faltered at times. He gave up just two runs on three base hits in five innings, but walked four and hit one batter while adding a wild pitch. Corpus Christi LHP Andy Van Hekken (4-3) was tagged with his third straight loss allowing three runs on eight hits over seven innings with three strikeouts.
Rafael Rodriguez tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the second night and notched the save (6). Fernando Rodriguez worked out of a bases-loaded jam to hold the lead for one inning, while Barrett Browning hurled two shutout frames to set up the ninth inning.
The Hooks struck first with a run in the second inning on a two-out RBI single by Lou Santangelo. Diaz didn't allow another hit and the Hooks managed just one more hit over the last seven innings.
Morrissey and Ryan Leahy singled to begin the third inning and moved up on a wild pitch. Coby Smith grounded out to bring Morrissey in with the tying run.
Leading off the fourth inning, Corey Smith lined a shot to the top of the fence for a double. Van Hekken retired the next two batters and Smith was still at second base but he caught Hooks third baseman Drew Sutton napping after Nate Sutton popped out. Sutton was far off third base when Van Hekken received the ball so Smith ran for third and stole the base without a throw from the pitcher. It proved to be an important steal, as Van Hekken got Mark Trumbo to strikeout on a pitch that bounced away from Santangelo. Smith scored the go-ahead run when Santangelo couldn't recover the ball allowing Trumbo to reach first.
Stavisky increased the lead to 3-1 when he hammered Van Hekken's first offering of the sixth inning deep over the right-field wall.
Diaz lost command at the bottom of the sixth and walked the first two batters on just nine pitches. Quickly he was replaced by Fernando Rodriguez and initially he fared no better with a walk and a bases-loaded hit batsman to cut the Travs' advantage to 3-2.
With the bases full of Hooks and nobody out, Rodriguez induced three foul outs by the bottom three batters to escape the inning with the lead.
Browning came on for the seventh and got into trouble when Jarred Ball hit a one-out triple to the right-field corner. Browning saved a run by backing up a wild throw past third base then he got Jonny Ash to hit a high bouncer in front of the plate. Browning flipped to Ben Johnson for the tag out on Ball. After a walk, Browning induced Brian Bogusevic to bounce to third leaving the tying run on base.
Browning tossed a perfect eighth inning to pass the lead to Rafael Rodriguez for the ninth.
Time of game was 2:45 and the paid attendance was 7,774.
The Travs arrive in San Antonio early Saturday morning to begin a three-game series with the Missions. In the opener LHP Daniel Davidson (0-0, 2.63) makes the start for Arkansas against Missions LHP Steve Garrison (7-6, 3.75). First pitch at Wolff Stadium on Saturday is set for 7:05 p.m.
Texas League Stories from August 9, 2008
- Stavisky And Trumbo Lead Travs To Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Midland's Bats Beat Tulsa - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Take Rain-Shortened Game vs. Frisco - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Bud and Friends Deal for Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cards Drop Series-Opener in Corpus Christi - Springfield Cardinals
- Watch Hooks Baseball Live Sunday - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Series Preview: RoughRiders Come Back Still in First - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs Win Second Straight At C.C. - Arkansas Travelers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
