Travs let late lead slip away in Texas

HOOKS 5, TRAVELERS 4

The Arkansas Travelers scored all four of their runs in the second inning Friday to take a 4-2 lead, but the Corpus Christi Hooks (5-3) rallied with three runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a 5-4 victory in front of 6,606 fans at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Marcus Littlewood singled up the middle to start the second inning for the Travelers (3-5) but was erased by Chantz Mack’s fielder’s choice at second base. After Justin Seager walked, Joey Wong singled to load the bases with one out. Brock Hebert hit a two-run single to tie the game at 2-2 and advanced to second base on a throwing error by right fielder Ramon Laureano. Ian Miller followed with another two-run single, putting the Travs ahead 4-2, and advanced to third on a throwing error by second baseman Jack Mayfield.

Laureano made up for his error by starting the Hooks’ rally in the eighth inning with a double down the left-field line. Jon Singleton walked, which brought a pitching change as Peter Tago replaced Darin Gillies. Tago threw a wild pitch and J.D. Davis walked to load the bases with no outs. After Mayfield struck out swinging, Jamie Ritchie hit a two-run single to left field that tied the game at 4-4. Mott Hyde walked to reload the bases and Alejandro Garcia was hit by a pitch to score Davis that gave the the lead for good.

Miller and Littlewood were both 2 for 4 to lead the Travelers, who finished with 7 hits. Tago (0-1) took the loss after allowing 1 earned run on 1 hit with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts in his only inning.

Dean Deetz (2-0) earned the victory after allowing 1 hit with 2 strikeouts in 32/3 innings.