Wilson's Bomb Gives Travs 8-5 12-Inning Win
May 26, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Citibank Ballpark, Midland, TX - Bobby Wilson completed a five-RBI night with a three-run homer (3) in the 12th inning to send the Arkansas Travelers (16-30) to a 8-5 victory over the Midland RockHounds (25-22). Losing pitcher LHP Anthony Rawson (0-2) walked Matt Brown and Greg Porter before being relieved by RHP Jared Burton. Wilson walloped Burton's 2-1 offering over the left field wall for the game-winning blast. Midland native RHP Aaron Pullin struck out the side in the ninth inning for the save. Wilson finished 3-for-6 and also had run-scoring singles in the fourth and sixth innings. In ending a five-game losing streak, the Travs battled back from a 3-0 deficit after starting pitcher RHP James Holcomb departed after the first inning with a sore lower back. David Gates homered (2) and tripled, while Brown broke out with two doubles a single and three runs scored. The Travs bullpen was outstanding as RHP Michel Simard relieved Holcomb and tossed four innings allowing only one run. LHP Tim Bittner threw three innings of shutout ball, while RHP Rich Thompson (2-1) earned the win with three strong innings.
Midland jumped ahead against Holcomb for three runs in the first inning. Ronnie Merrill walked and moved to second base on a single by Jed Morris. Travis Buck lined a single to left field to score Merrill. With one out, Matt Allegra doubled past third base to score Morris and then Buck scored from third base on a groundout by Brant Colamarino.
The Travs tallied their first run when Gates powered a home run off RHP Brad Knox in the second inning.
Midland got back up by three runs against Simard in the third inning as the first three hitters reached. Morris doubled to right field and scored when Buck lined a double to left-center for a 4-1 lead. Although Simard allowed the next batter, Vasili Spanos, to reach with a single he recovered by striking out Allegra and then getting a 3-6 double play off Colamarino's bat.
The Travs scored in four straight innings beginning with the fourth. Brown slapped a double to right field with one out and scored when Wilson lined a single to center.
Gates began the eighth inning with a high drive to deep center. Allegra almost made a basket catch with his back to the infield, but he dropped the ball against the fence while Gates rounded second base. Allegra then picked up the ball and fell down while attempting to throw to the infield. The throw went into the ground allowing Gates to score on a triple and an error by Allegra.
The Travs tied the game in the sixth inning with two outs against Knox. Brown doubled inside third base and Wilson singled to left-center to tie the game at 4-4.
LHP Justin Crowder got the Hounds out of the sixth inning, but he walked Dwaine Bacon to begin the seventh. Bacon then stole second base with no throw when Eric Rodland squared up and blocked C Kurt Suzuki's vision. Rodland then bounced a single to center to score Bacon for a 5-4 Travs lead.
Bittner held the lead retiring the final four batters he faced and Thompson entered for the ninth. Kevin Melillo led off with a hot smash that bounced off Porter's shoulder at first base and into center field for a double. Eddie Cornejo moved Melillo to third with a sacrifice bunt and Merrill scored him with a sacrifice fly to left field that forced extra innings.
Thompson would be threatened in the tenth inning as he walked Buck to begin the frame. After stealing second base with one out, Buck was stranded when Thompson whiffed Colamarino.
Three members of the Travelers were ejected by the replacement umpire crew. Hitting coach Keith Johnson was thrown out by the first-base umpire following the end of the top of the sixth inning. Bacon was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the 11th inning (although the plate umpire made an aggressive move towards Bacon) and Travs Manager Tyrone Boykin was ejected after Bacon.
Time of game was 3:59 and the paid attendance was 3,253.
The Travs and Hounds battle in game two of the four-game series on Friday night. Arkansas RHP Rafael Rodriguez (0-3, 11.07 ERA) takes on Midland RHP Ben Fritz (1-2, 3.21 ERA). First pitch will be thrown at 6:30 p.m.
Please call (501) 664-1555 or visit www.travs.com for game information.
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- Wilson's Bomb Gives Travs 8-5 12-Inning Win - Arkansas Travelers
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