Travs Earn Comeback Victory
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A wild pitch allowed the Arkansas Travelers to complete a ninth inning comeback as they defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 3-2 on Saturday.
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Cyle Hankerd led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second after C.J. Cron was hit by a pitch. Hankerd tied the game on a Robbie Widlansky single, with Cron advancing to third base on Roman Hernandez's throw to the plate. After an intentional walk and a strikeout, Cron scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch from Jon Keck on a 1-2 count.
North Little Rock took the lead on a first inning sacrifice fly from Rolando Gomez that scored Hankerd. The Naturals tied the game on Rey Navarro's 12th home run of the season in the fifth inning and took the lead on a Mitch Canham home run in the seventh inning.
Elvin Ramirez earned the win, allowing one hit in an inning of work. Mike Piazza allowed two runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts in seven innings.
Santiago Garrido is charged with the loss after allowing two runs on one hit with two walks and two strikeouts in an inning of work. Jason Adam allowed one unearned run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in seven innings.
Prior to the game, the Naturals announced a pair of transactions. Zach Jackson, the franchise's single-season saves record holder with 18, was promoted to Triple-A Omaha. Malcom Culver was received from Class-A Advanced Wilmington
The Naturals and Travelers continue the series tomorrow afternoon at 2:10 p.m. Sugar Ray Marimon (6-13, 4.39 ERA) will start for the Naturals against Brandon Hynick (11-5, 2.90 ERA).