Early runs pace Travs on July 4th

Midland, TX - The Arkansas Travelers took the series finale from the Midland RockHounds 5-3 on Saturday night at Security Bank Ballpark.

Arkansas improved to 27-10 when scoring first thanks to two runs out of the gate in the first inning. With two outs and 2B Sherman Johnson on second, 1B Brian Hernandez blasted a double off the top of the left field wall to put the Travs up 1-0. Arkansas increased its lead with a C Raywilly Gomez RBI single to make it 2-0.

RockHounds catcher Bruce Maxwell continued his strong series with an RBI single in the second to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Arkansas scored twice again in the third. With the bases loaded and no outs, Midland starter RHP Chris Jensen (L, 5-8) struck out back-to-back Travs, but CF Blake Gailen ripped a two-run ground rule double to right to increase the Travs lead to 4-2.

RHP Chris Ellis (W, 3-0) remained perfect with Arkansas over five starts. He worked 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

RHP Eduard Santos extended his scoreless streak to 14.2 innings with 2.1 no-hit frames on Saturday. Santos walked one and struck out four. 12 of Santos' last 13 relief appearances have been scoreless.

LHP Greg Mahle (S, 4) pitched around an error in the ninth to earn his fourth save in four chances.

Hernandez finished 2-for-4 with his league-leading 53rd RBI and a run scored.

Johnson scored twice to increase his league-best run total to 56.

3B Drew Maggi also scored two runs.

Gomez went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, his first three-hit game with Arkansas.

With the win, the Travs snapped a five-game losing streak and improved to 4-5 in the second half. Arkansas will head to Frisco to begin a three-game series with the RoughRiders on Sunday. First pitch at Dr. Pepper Ballpark is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.