The Arkansas Travelers played their ninth consecutive one-run game Sunday night against the Springfield Cardinals at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.
It also turned out to be Kyle McGowin's first victory for the Travs since May 23.
McGowin pitched seven innings of three-hit ball as the Travs held on to beat the Cardinals 3-2 in front of an announced crowd of 3,038.
McGowin (5-7), who had been winless in his past 9 starts, allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in 7 innings and struck out a season-high 9 batters. He walked three in his second-longest outing of the season after going 7 2/3 innings July 8 against Midland.
Travs Manager Bill Richardson said the key for McGowin over the past three starts in which he'd allowed two runs or fewer is that he's been more crisp on the mound.
"This is his billing," said Richardson, who worked with McGowin when he was in Class A Orem and Inland Empire. "He has good tempo. He has a good slider and a good fastball. He gets after it."
While the Travs pulled into a first-place tie with Tulsa in the Texas League North Divsion with Sunday's victory, Richardson wasn't pleased with his team's offensive performance after a three-run first inning. Arkansas had four hits in the first inning but managed only two hits against the Springfield bullpen over the next seven innings once Morales was lifted for Chris Perry with two outs in the first.
"I'm disappointed," Richardson said. "I thought we were putting some at-bats together, but I felt like we gave some away there. We can't afford to do that."
McGowin, the Los Angeles Angels' fifth-round pick in 2013 from Savannah State, retired 10 of the first 12 batters before giving up a double to Springfield first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez in the fourth inning.
Springfield third baseman Patrick Wisdom cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the sixth inning, hitting a towering two-run home run to left field. However, McGowin was able to strand Rodriguez at first after a walk and got designated hitter Michael Ohlman to fly out to end the inning.
Travs reliever Eduard Santos got into a jam in the top of the ninth inning as second baseman Bruce Caldwell walked and shortstop Aledmys Diaz singled to left field to put runners on first and second with two outs.
Richardson brought in closer Greg Mahle, who earned his ninth save of the season by striking out right fielder David Washington.
The Travs took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, chasing Springfield starter Andrew Morales (4-6). Shortstop Eric Stamets reached on a throwing error by Diaz, which led to a two-out RBI double by third baseman Brian Hernandez and back-to-back run-scoring singles from first baseman Wade Hinkle and right fielder Cal Towey.
Hernandez led the Travs offensively, going 2 for 4.
DRILLERS 8, NATURALS 1
Northwest Arkansas' bullpen unraveled in the final two innings as Tulsa scored seven runs to beat the Naturals in front of an announced crowd of 5,767 at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.
The game was tied at 1-1 going into the top of the eighth inning when Tulsa scored twice to take a 3-1 lead on RBI singles from Erisbel Arruebarrena and Lars Anderson.
Tulsa broke open the game in the top of the ninth with a five-run outburst to make it 8-1. Adam Law and Ronald Torreyes each had run-scoring singles, and Brian Burgamy followed with a two-run double. Anderson added a run-scoring double to cap the Drillers' inning.
Naturals right-hander Luke Farrell started, allowing 1 run on 4 hits in 6 innings. Aroni Nina (3-4) took the loss after giving up two runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief.
Jeremy Kehrt (6-6) earned the victory, giving up 1 run on 4 hits in 7 innings.
Alex Liddi drove in the Naturals' only run with a double in the bottom of the first inning that scored Jorge Bonifacio.
Sports on 07/20/2015