TEXAS LEAGUE

Travs beat Cardinals, then do it again

The Arkansas Travelers swept a doubleheader Springfield Cardinals by identical 4-2 scores Monday before an announced crowd of 4,471 at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.

In the first game, the Travelers scored three runs in the first inning and never trailed. Leadoff hitter Sherman Johnson singled down the rightfield line and moved to third on Eric Stamets’ single. Cal Towey then doubled to center to score Johnson and Stamets. After Brian Hernandez grounded out, Wade Hinkle reached on a fielder’s choice as Towey was thrown out at the plate. Kentrail Davis and Drew Maggi then singled with Maggi’s hit bringing home Hinkle to make it 3-0.

The Travelers pushed it to 4-0 in the fifth inning when Towey’s sacrifice fly scored Johnson.

The Cardinals closed to 4-1 in the sixth when Alex Mejia doubled to left to score Breyvic Valera.

Travs starting pitcher Albert Suarez (4-3) pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits with 2 strikeouts and 1 walk. Nick Petree (1-4) took the loss for the Cardinals, allowing 4 runs — 3 earned — on 8 hits with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks.

Stamets led the Travelers by going 3 for 4 and scored 1 run. Towey went 1 for 3 with 3 RBI.

Springfield tried to close the gap in the seventh inning. Anthony Garcia led off with a single, Mike Ohlman flied out to right and reliever Chris O’Grady replaced Suarez. O’Grady got David Washington to strike out. Garcia advanced to second on defensive indifference and scored on Patrick Wisdom’s single. Wisdom tried to take second on the play, but was thrown out to end the game.

In the second game, the Travelers scored three runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead. and held off a Cardinals rally in the seventh.

The Cardinals rallied in the seventh with consecutive doubles by Jeremy Hazelbaker and Wisdom to make it 4-1. After Valera grounded out, Charlie Tilson tripled to left-center to score Wisdom.

Tyler De Loach (3-2) picked up the complete-game victory for the Travelers, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk. Chris Thomas (0-2) took the loss for the Cardinals, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits in 3 1/3 innings with 3 strikeouts and 1 walk.

Gomez was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI to lead the Travs. Jonathan Rodriguez led the Cardinals by going 2 for 3.

The Travelers opened the scoring in the fourth. Towey tripled to left field with one out in the fourth and scored on Hernandez’s single. After Corey Baker replaced Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Thomas, Hinkle and Davis walked to load the bases. After Zach Wright struck out swinging, Raywilly Gomez singled down the left-field line to score Hernandez and Hinkle to make it 3-0.

The Travelers made it 4-0 in the fifth when Hinkle’s sacrifice fly scored Johnson, who led off with a walk and advanced twice on wild pitches.

NATURALS-DRILLERS RAINED OUT

TULSA — Northwest Arkansas Naturals (29-13) and the Tulsa Drillers (19-22) were rained out Monday for the second straight night. Officials said the game will be made up at a later date.

The Naturals return home today against the Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

After playing three against the Hooks, Northwest Arkansas will host the San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres) for a three-game series Friday through Sunday.

For more information including ticket options, visit NWANaturals.com on the Internet.

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