Wranglers Break Travs Win Streak 6-5
April 14, 2005 - Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Ray Winder Field, Little Rock, AR â The Wichita Wranglers (2-4) jumped on Arkansas starting pitcher RHP Steven Shell (0-1) for a 6-0 lead after the third inning and then held on at the end for a 6-5 victory over the Travelers (5-1). Shell allowed three runs in the second and three runs in the third inning and was lifted after just 2.2 innings. The Travelers' bullpen pitched scoreless ball for the remainder of the game and the offense rallied for five runs in the sixth inning, there were 12 men left on base and the Travs fell for the first time in the 2005 season. Wichita RHP Brian Bass (1-0) earned his first win since August 6, 2003 with five shutout innings. RHP Ambiorix Burgos struck out the side in the ninth for the save. Travs DH David Gates homered (3), while CF Reggie Willits, SS Erick Aybar, 2B Alberto Callaspo and 1B Mike Eylward all collecte two base hits.
Shell retired the Wranglers in the first inning, but issued a one-out walk to Justin Huber in the second. Wichita SS Mike Aviles ripped a 3-0 pitch for a run-scoring double then scored on a single by Brennan King for a 2-0 lead. A throwing error sent King to second and he when Matt Tupman singled to left field for a 3-0 Wichita advantage.
Shell walked two more hitters in the third inning and surrendered a two-run double to Shane Costa and an RBI single to Aviles before being removed.
Arkansas RHP Mark O'Sullivan tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in relief followed by 1.2 scoreless frames from RHP Matt Wilhite. LHP Jonathon Rouwenhorst had 1.1 innings scoreless and RHP Aaron Pullin added another scoreless inning.
Bass was removed after five innings and allowed seven hits, two walks and three strikeouts. LHP Nate Hoelscher relieved and allowed Gates' homer to open the sixth. A two out walk and a single by Willits set up Callaspo for an RBI single to left field. RHP Trae McGill replaced Hoelscher and gave up a two-run double to Aybar cutting the deficit to 6-4. Aybar took third base on a wild pitch and Mike Napoli then walked. A double steal scored Aybar from third base to get the Travs within a run, but they couldn't push home the tying run as Gates struck out swinging to end the inning.
The game was played in 2:58 and the paid attendance was 2,211.
Game three of the five-game set will be played on Thursday night at Ray Winder Field. The Travelers will send LHP Joe Saunders (1-0, 0.00 ERA) to the hill against Wichita LHP Mike Stodolka (0-1, 5.06 ERA). The first pitch will be tossed at 7:10 p.m. and the gates open at 6:10 p.m.
Please call (501) 664-1555 or visit www.travs.com for game information.
Texas League Stories from April 14, 2005
- What's Happening at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium - Wichita Wranglers
- Hooks Update - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Wranglers Break Travs Win Streak 6-5 - Arkansas Travelers
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