Comeback snuffed out at the plate in the bottom of the ninth

A colleague called it, a "freak-show" kind of game. It was that Saturday. Why? Well the game featured eight pitchers; 15 combined runs on 21 hits and five errors; one side batting-around in the eighth; the other side batting-around in the ninth; a wild bottom of the ninth comeback rally from the Travs when they looked for sure to be out of it; and an equally wild play to end it when a kid, who flew all day to get there, was thrown out at the plate on what would have been the sixth and tying run in the frame. Even a guy in the dizzy-bat-race got knocked cold when he crashed in to his fellow-contestant and lay on the field for some time before being assisted off.

 

  

 

In the end the Travelers lost another one-run game 8-7 to Northwest Arkansas, its  seventhstraight loss and 14th of the past 18. It also marked the first Double-A loss for the Angels' #4 left-handed prospect, Trevor Reckling (3-1), who turned twenty Friday.

 

 

Reckling had only thrown 49 pitches with no runs through the first four innings, but in the fifth alone he threw 30 pitches and allowed three runs on a double, two singles, two walks ,and a balk. He faced the first two batters in the sixth, who reached on an error and a single, before he was removed.

 

His counter-part, #2 Royals' prospect Daniel Cortes although giving up six walks, which the Travs never cashed in, left after five without allowing a hit on 98 pitches with 2 K's.

 

   

Ironically it was Cortes (2-4) and Reckling who matched up back in April during Trevor's Double-A debut at Dickey-Stephens, which Reckling won.

 

Despite the loss center fielder Peter Bourjos stretched his consecutive hit-streak to 16 games.

 

He entered the game hitting a team-leading .322 and was 2-for-6 for the day. One of those hits with two outs in the bottom of the ninth brought home one run run and nearly another.

 

And who is this guy, #17? That's twenty two-year-old, 5' 9" 155 pound switch-hitting Ivan Contreras, who flew all day to get to the park for the game and got a hit his first time up, and then contributed to the ninth inning rally with another single before being tagged out at the plate on the play that ended the game after Bourjos lined his hit to deep right-center.

 

Contreras, a Dominican native, was called-up from extended spring training to replace second baseman Ryan Mount, who sprained his right wrist fouling off a pitch Friday night. Mount has been placed on the 7-day disabled list.

 

In case you've been wondering, and I know I have, the reason Hank Conger (#24 above and below) isn't playing is because he has a hurt right wrist also. He hasn't played since last Monday on the road, and as far as I could tell no other source has reported on his absence, so I asked him. He has not been placed on the DL and wasn't sure when he would see action. He called it minor, so maybe he'll see action tomorrow (Sunday.)

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There was a surprise in the Travelers' lockers Friday when the team arrived at the park for the start of the four-game home stand against Northwest Arkansas. New alternate, red jerseys that look great but didn't help as the team gave up a lead late and lost to the Naturals 4-3 in ten. Left fielder #5 Nate Sutton (above) had a very nice Friday night at the plate going four-for-four with a triple, a double, and two singles.

 

 

General Manager Pete Laven said the team really didn't have an alternate jersey besides the batting practice jerseys and said these were designed to be especially cool during the hot-humid days approaching.

 

Happy Memorial Day everyone and God bless our troops.

-- Lonesome Traveler

Comments

[Sidd Finch]

Another game, another loss, another stupid baserunning decision by Bobby to end the game. Mags, when exactly did you lose the players' confidence? Oh, right, when Arredondo blew you off in the 2007 season. Worked out best for him in the long run...three years later he's playing in the major leagues and you are mired in last place in the Texas League and 28th out of 30 AA teams.

[Greg Porter]

You are not a journalistic source! You are not covering the team. You are a bunch of autograph freaks and rumor mongers who have now added "psycho" stalkers to the resume.

I am hitting .309 as a Wingnut and I think it's a left-wing conspiracy that is keeping any affiliated club from contacting me about a contract.

[The Travelerocity reporter]

It is no coincidence the Angels have sent so many players up from extended spring training to fill spots on a Double-A roster because the approach is the same in both places -- we are nothing more than a practice squad for Mike Scioscia and Magallanes is mostly just carrying out orders. The Travs have the worst record in the Texas League? Seems like a familiar refrain.

[Greg Porter]

Let it begin. Start bitching about the Angels and foam at the mouth for the Cardinals. You are never going to get the Cardinals back here again. Never, never, never. Or at least not until you're dead and gone.

[Informed Listener]

I heard Phil mention early last week that Hank had a sore wrist and wasn't going to be playing until it felt good.

Maybe you don't listen to the radio broadcasts because you're too busy slapping your own back and thinking you're a journalist of some kind.

[David Gates]

Greg, good luck in Wichita due! I had a rad time there, but much preferred my Little Rock days! Keep taking the chill pills bro and stay high on LIFE!

And yes, Phil's been talking about Hank's wrist for a bit. I hope it gets better soon man! He can freaking rake!

[Britney]

oops who is not a jounalistic source...

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Britney
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