Corpus Christi, TX-Excellent pitching was the story was again as the Arkansas Travelers won the opening game of a three game series in Corpus Christi, 3-2 over the Hooks on Saturday night. The Travs won their third straight game, sixth in their last eight and improved to 8-8 in the
Corpus Christi, TX-Excellent pitching was the story was again as the Arkansas Travelers won the opening game of a three game series in Corpus Christi, 3-2 over the Hooks on Saturday night. The Travs won their third straight game, sixth in their last eight and improved to 8-8 in the second half of the season. All eight of their second half victories have come when they allow two or fewer runs.
Lindsey Caughel pitched brilliantly for the fourth consecutive start working 6.1 innings and being charged with two runs on just one hit while walking three but striking out five. Caughel coming off back-to-back scoreless starts has now given up a total of only four runs in his past four outings.
Caughel had an early lead to work with as the Travs got after Hooks starter Yoanys Quiala for three runs on nine hits in the first four innings. Dario Pizzano's two-run two out opposite field homer in the third opened the scoring and then Chuck Taylor came through with a two out RBI hit in the next inning to put the lead at three.
Corpus Christi got one back in the bottom of the fourth but Caughel carried it until the seventh when he issued a one out walk and was replaced by Kyle Hunter. Hunter got out of the inning but did allow one to score trimming the Travs lead to only one. In the eighth, Ramón Laureano tripled to open the frame putting the tying run ninety feet away.
Blake Perry was summoned from the bullpen and the right-hander was able to pull the escape. He got Jason Martin to line out to third, J.D Davis to line out to second and then induced a fly ball from Jon Singleton to end threat. Perry stayed in and closed it out working around a two out single in the ninth. He was rewarded with his third save of the season. Caughel (6-7) won for the third consecutive start while Quiala (1-1) took the loss.
The Travelers banged out 10 hits led by Dario Pizzano's 3-4 night that included his sixth homerun. Ian Miller went 2-4 for his 34th multi-hit game of the year and boosted his league leading batting average to .336.
Arkansas looks to make it four straight on Sunday night as they send right-hander Justin DeFratus (2-5, 5.84) to the mound opposite righty Cy Sneed (7-5, 5.40). First pitch is set for 6:05 in Corpus Christi and the game will be broadcast on the Sports Animal 920, the First Pitch App, TuneIn radio and milb.tv.
