Travelers stay hot, win fourth in a row

TRAVELERS 8, ROCKHOUNDS 5

By the time the Midland RockHounds intentionally walked Chuck Taylor, it was already too late.

The Arkansas Travelers had scored five runs by the sixth inning of Tuesday night’s 8- 5 victory at Security Bank Ballpark in Midland, Texas, and the Texas League’s leader in batting average (. 379) had hit two doubles and driven in two runs.

Midland right- handed starter Grant Holmes walked Taylor to preserve the RockHounds’ 5- 2 lead. Right- hander Carlos Navas entered the game, and three more runs followed for the Travs. Holmes ( 3- 4) suffered the loss.

The Travs won their fourth

game in a row, two days after it seemed they had emptied their sack of runs in a 17- 3 victory over Frisco on Sunday. Starting right- hander Tyler Herb ( 3- 2) pitched 6 innings with 7 hits, 3 earned runs, 7 strikeouts and no walks against the highest scoring team in the league.

It was Herb’s third time in his past four starts that he pitched a quality start ( 6 or more innings with no more than three runs allowed).

Midland shortstop Richie Martin, the Oakland A’s No. 9 prospect according to MLB. com, was hit in the helmet by an errant fastball by Herb in the second inning. Martin was replaced in the lineup by Argenis Raga.

Travs left fielder Dario Pizzano, first baseman Kyle Waldop and Taylor each drove in two runs, and Waldrop went 2 for 5 with 2 doubles.

Waldrop, the Seattle Mariners’ No. 27 prospect according to MLB. com, has recovered since hitting .163 for the first half of May. Since May 18, Waldrop has 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 14 RBI and a .348 batting average.

The Travs can win their second series in a row today when they face the RockHounds at 6: 30 p. m., in the second game of the three- game series.