Naturals Stymie Travs to Avoid Sweep, 2-1

North Little Rock, AR-The Arkansas Travelers shutout streak came to a close on Wednesday afternoon as they fell to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals by a 2-1 score in front of a crowd of 6,035 at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Naturals scored twice in the first on three hits and Trav error to snap the pitching staff's scoreless streak. Arkansas' offense was handcuffed by Ofriedy Gomez who worked seven shutout frames giving up just two and a walk while striking out seven. Arkansas best threat came in the eighth but they were able to manage just one run before Gabe Speier worked a perfect ninth to lock down the save for the Naturals.
Moments That Mattered
* Khalil Lee singled home a run in the top of the first to put the Naturals on top and a second run scored on an errant throw back to the infield.
* Arkansas had two on with none out in the eighth but Jake Fraley grounded into a force out before Donnie Walton drove in pinch-runner Connor Hoover on a groundout but then Fraley was stranded in scoring position to end the inning.
Notable Travs Performances
* C Joseph Odom: 2-3
* RHP Zac Grotz: Loss, 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, ER, 7 K
News and Notes
* The scoreless inning streak for the pitching staff stopped at 30 with NW Arkansas scoring twice in the first.
* It was the third chance for the Travs to sweep a series this season. They are now 1-2 in those games.
Up Next
The Travs open a three game series at Tulsa Thursday night. Lefty Anthony Misiewicz (0-1, 1.80) gets the start against Tulsa knuckleball specialist J.D. Martin (0-1, 5.06). First pitch 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.