McKiernan, Trout pace Travs' win

Eddie McKiernan provided the arm, Mike Trout provided the bat and the Arkansas Travelers avoided a third straight loss Saturday.

McKiernan pitched a two-hitter for his first career nine-inning complete game and Trout had three hits and scored three runs to lead Arkansas to a 9-1 romp over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

A 22-year-old right-hander, McKiernan (6-10) struck out seven and allowed only a two-out solo homer to Jeff Bianchi in the bottom of the first inning. He set down 10 in a row before Anthony Seratelli hit a leadoff single in the fifth, then retired the final 15 batters.

"Getting ahead with my fastball, I would say, [was the key]," McKiernan said. "My catcher [Orlando Mercado] and I were on the same page all night, and when I had to go to my secondary pitches I was able to throw them in the zone which was huge."

It was the second complete game of the season for the California native, who had worked exclusively out of the bullpen since the Angels selected him in the 17th round of the 2007 Draft. McKiernan went the distance in a seven-inning victory over Northwest Arkansas on June 10.

"It was pretty awesome," he said. "My high school pitching coach, Brad Blackmoore, said I haven't done that since I was in high school. Definitely one of the highlights of my year."

McKiernan has pitched well since moving into the Travelers' rotation for good on July 12, going 2-3 with a 3.68 ERA.

"It's definitely different, and finding the mind-set that works for me has been a struggle this year," he admitted. "My pitching coach, Brandon Emanuel, said, 'Give us everything you got for as long as you got and when we come get you, that's it.'"

Trout, MLB.com's No. 1 prospect, drew a pair of walks and also doubled in a run while stealing his 31st base for the Travelers.

Since returning from the Majors earlier this week, Trout is 8-for-23 with five runs scored. He's moved from the leadoff spot to the three-hole in the Arkansas lineup and still ranks fourth in the Texas League with a .326 average, despite spending almost all of July with the Angels.

Gabe Jacobo, Roberto Lopez and Blake Gailen slugged two-run homers for the Travelers, who chased Naturals starter Jake Odorizzi in the fifth.

Odorizzi (3-2), the Royals' top pitching prospect, was charged with six runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings.