Zaneski, Four Hurlers Blank Hooks 2-0

CORPUS CHRISTI - Four pitchers teamed on a three-hit shutout as the Arkansas Travelers beat Corpus Christi, 2-0, Wednesday night at Whataburger Field.

Starter Orangel Arenas, who won for the fifth time in six decisions, yielded two hits, walked three and fanned two in a 74-pitch performance. Buddy Boshers, Daniel Reynolds and Cam Bedrosian covered the final four innings; Bedrosian earned his seventh save in eight opportunities.

The Travs (25-26) produced just four hits, the game-changer a solo homer by Zach Zaneski. It broke a scoreless deadlock in the fifth.

Both clubs had considerable activity on the bases during the game's first third, combining to strand four runners in scoring position, two of whom reached third base. Additionally, Corpus Christi's Chris Epps was outed in a 6-2-5-2 rundown on a contact play when Rene Garcia hit into a fielder's choice during the second. Epps bought enough time for Garcia to scoot all the way to third, but Arenas fanned Telvin Nash for the final out.

Zaneski's first home run as a Traveler was a shot into the Hooks bullpen off Brady Rodgers (1-7). The Arkansas catcher, an ex Rangers farmhand with extensive Texas League experience at Frisco, was acquired by the Angels organization in a May 15 trade.

Rodgers permitted three hits, walked one and fanned another through five frames and 78 pitches (50 strikes) before giving way to Travis Ballew.

Ballew wild pitched Alex Yarbrough halfway around the diamond as Arkansas doubled its lead in the sixth. Yarbrough worked a two-out base-on-balls and achieved second and third on pitches in the dirt. Brian Hernandez sent him home by singling to right field.

The Hooks (27-25) staged a threat against Boshers an inning later. He effectively pitched around walks to pinch-hitter Leo Heras and Jio Mier, retiring Andrew Aplin on a nifty play by first baseman Hernandez.

Time of game was 2:38 and the paid attendance was 4,835.

The series finale is Thursday at 7:10 when Corpus Christi left-hander David Rollins (0-0) meets former Travs lefty Michael Roth (3-3).