Curletta Hits Go-Ahead Grand Slam in Comeback Win

North Little Rock, AR-Joey Curletta burnished his credentials for Texas League Player of the Year on Saturday night, socking a go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Arkansas Travelers came back for an 8-5 win in front of 8,206 at Dickey-Stephens Park. Curletta's blast capped a five-run rally that began with two out and the bases empty and the Travs trailing 3-0. It was his second grand slam of the season and pushed his league leading RBI total to 88 while pulling him into a tie for the league homerun lead with 23. All four Traveler pitchers who toed the slab were charged with at least one run but Matt Festa was able to close it out getting the final two outs with the tying run at the plate. The 16^th save of the season for Festa ties him for the league lead.
Moments That Mattered
* The RockHounds had a three-run lead on the strength of six shutout innings from right-hander Ben Bracewell who limited the Travs to four hits. J.P. Sportman hit an early two-run single and Skye Bolt launched a solo homer to build the lead.
* Curletta's homer, off Miguel Romero, came after Eric Filia worked a bases loaded walk on a 3-2 pitch to force in a run.
* Logan Taylor added a two-run homer in the eighth as the Travs padded the lead with three runs.
Notable Travs Performances
* 1B Joey Curletta: 1-5, run, GS, 4 RBI
* DH Dario Pizzano: 2-4
* 3B Logan Taylor: 2-4, run, HR, 2 RBI
Up Next
Arkansas goes for a sweep of the three game series on Sunday afternoon with right-hander Nathan Bannister (7-8, 6.40) going up against righty Parker Dunshee (4-3, 2.61). First pitch is set for 2:10 and kids get to run the bases afterwards. The game will also be broadcast on the Sports Animal 920, the First Pitch App, TuneIn radio and milb.tv.