Curletta’s RBI single lifts Travelers

Joey Curletta singled in Beau Amaral with the goahead run in the eighth inning to lift the Arkansas Travelers to a 3-2 victory over the Midland RockHounds at Security Bank Ballpark in Midland, Texas on Saturday night.

Amaral opened the inning with a single to right field. An errant pickoff attempt by RockHounds pitcher Parker Dunshee allowed Amaral to advance to second. After Yonathan Mendoza grounded out, Dunshee intentionally walked Eric Filia. John Gorman then came in to replace Dunshee and gave up Curletta’s single up the middle to score Amaral.

Midland’s Seth Brown hit a two-run home run in the first inning to open the scoring.

The Travelers tied the game 2-2 in the fourth. The Travelers loaded the bases on singles by Filia, Curletta and Dario Pizzano. Kyle Lewis grounded to third baseman Nate Mondou, who stepped on the bag to retire Curletta, and Filia scored to make it 2-1. Logan Taylor followed with a single to center to score Pizzano to make it 2-2.

Bryan Bonnell (3-3) allowed 1 hit in 11/3 innings of relief to get the victory. Travelers starter Chris Mazza allowed 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings. Matt Tenuta struck out 3 in the final 12/3 innings to get his first save of the season.

Curletta led the Travelers by going 3 for 4, including the go-ahead hit.

Dunshee (5-4) took the loss, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits in 71/3 innings with 8 strikeouts and 2 walks.