Mariscal Slam Gets Travs Going in 13-5 Win

Springdale, AR-A first inning grand slam by Chris Mariscal got the Arkansas Travlers (19-17) off and rolling on their way to a 13-5 victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (15-21) in the series opener Monday night. It was the Travs' fifth win in their last six games. After snatching the early lead, Arkansas would blow the game open with a seven run sixth inning, their biggest frame of the season. They also set a new season high for runs scored and matched their season high in hits with 16. Every batter had at least one hit with five players registering multi-hit games. Anthony Misiewicz was the beneficiary working 5.2 innings for his first win of the season. The win coupled with Tulsa's comeback victory over Springfield puts the Travs in a three-way tie for first in the North with the Drillers and Cardinals.
Moments That Mattered
* After a single, an error and an infield single loaded the bases, Mariscal's grand slam opened the scoring. It was the team's second granny of the year and came with two out on a 1-2 pitch.
* The sixth inning featured seven runs scoring thanks to six hits and three walks. Northwest Arkansas saw two pitchers combine to throw 56 pitches in the inning. Mariscal hit a two-run double that put the lead at nine. He finished with a career-high tying six runs batted in.
Notable Travs Performances
* CF Braden Bishop: 3-6, 2 runs, 2B
* LF Chuck Taylor: 2-6, run, RBI
* 2B Chris Mariscal: 2-5, 2 runs, 2B, HR, 6 RBI
* C Joe DeCarlo: 3-5, run
* LHP Anthony Misiewicz: Win, 5.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 5 K
Up Next
The Travs look to keep in rolling in game two of the series on Tuesday night. RHP Andrew Moore (2-1, 2.89) takes the ball opposed by LHP Foster Griffin (2-4, 4.25). First pitch in Springdale is set for 7:05 and the game will be broadcast on the Sports Animal 920, the First Pitch App, TuneIn radio and milb.tv.