Travs yawn at early deficit, perk up quick to win

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STATON BREIDENTHAL --5/3/15-- Arkansas Travelers catcher Charlie Cutler (right) moves to make a tag on Springfield base runner Anthony Garcia Sunday afternoon during the Travelers game at Dickey-Stephens Park. Garcia was called safe on the play.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STATON BREIDENTHAL --5/3/15-- Arkansas Travelers catcher Charlie Cutler (right) moves to make a tag on Springfield base runner Anthony Garcia Sunday afternoon during the Travelers game at Dickey-Stephens Park. Garcia was called safe on the play.

Bill Richardson would like to say that he stays calm and collected in the Arkansas Travelers' dugout when his team falls behind.

In reality, Richardson remains on edge until his team can dig its way out of a hole. Luckily for Richardson, the Travs' first-year manager, his team's most valuable early season trait might be the way they have rallied after trailing early in games.

The Travs showed that ability again on Sunday, coming back from a four-run deficit in the second inning to beat the Springfield Cardinals 11-9 in front of an announced crowd of 4,426 at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.

Arkansas followed Springfield's four-run top of the second with a five-run bottom of the second, added 1 in the third, 3 in the fourth and 2 in the eighth and pounded out 17 hits to overcome 4 errors.

It was the seventh time this season the Travs have rallied for a victory, and their fourth time winning when letting their opponent score first.

"I'd love to say I'm stoic," Richardson said of his demeanor when the Travs fall behind early. "I feel like we're not getting many breaks here and there, but if you can play through that and keeping winning ball games, that's a good sign."

Richardson didn't have to wait long Sunday.

Springfield, aided by Cal Towey's field error in right field, scored four runs in the top of the second off starter Tyler DeLoach. But, the Travs stormed back in the bottom of the second, and Towey came up with the game's biggest hit.

Brock Bond reached on an infield single off starter Thomas Lee, Kentrail Davis walked and Drew Maggi drove in Bond with a single to center field. D'Arby Myers drew a two-out walk to load the bases for Towey, who laced an 0-2 triple over Starlin Rodriguez' head in center field to tie the game at 4-4. Towey scored on Brian Hernandez single as the Travs took a 5-4 lead and they didn't trail again.

"I just wanted to put a good swing on it," Towey said. "I knew I had extra bases."

That extended Towey's hitting streak to five games, but some of his statistics, like a .264 average, aren't what he expected in his first season at Class AA. His consistency with runners on base is what makes him and Richardson think he'll come around eventually.

Towey is hitting .319 with runners on base and .500 with 2 doubles and 1 triple in 8 at bats with the bases loaded, statistics to which Towey responded with a sly, "I'll take that."

He's hoping Sunday's breakout can lead to more hits no matter the situation.

"Just trying to stick with the process and trying to get in a groove a little bit," he said. "I've been kind of hit and miss there, just trying to work through it."

Towey had help Sunday.

Hernandez's second home run of the season, in the eighth, was his second hit of the day and increased his Texas League-leading RBI total to 27. Davis had 2 hits and scored 2 runs, while Drew Maggi and Charlie Cutler each had three hits as the Travs (15-8) maintained the best record in the Texas League.

That's not to say everything was pleasing to Richardson.

Towey, Wade Hinkle, Sherman Johnson and Bond each committed errors that led to five unearned runs, three errors coming after the Travs took a 9-6 lead in the fourth inning. But the Travs held on for DeLoach (2-2), who gave up 6 runs -- 4 earned -- on 7 hits while walking 2 in 6 innings to get his second victory.

"Do I want it cleaned up? Yes. Do I want it tightened up? Yes," Richardson said. "If we can swing the bats like that and pitch like that, we'll get to where we want to go. But we've got to catch the ball."

Sports on 05/04/2015

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