Travs get solid pitching, prevail in extra innings

TRAVELERS 2, DRILLERS 1 (10)

The Arkansas Travelers beat the Tulsa Drillers in extra innings for the second consecutive game Saturday night, getting an RBI single from Evan White for a 2-1, 10-inning victory in front of 5,345 at ONEOK Field in Tulsa.

Aaron Knapp started the inning at second base for the Travelers, but he was unable to advance when Donnie Walton popped out to shortstop Gavin Lux. The Drillers made a pitching change, bringing in reliever Shea Spitzbarth to replace Chris Nunn after he pitched 12/3 innings. White was the the first batter Spitzbarth faced, and he sent a pitch back up the middle to score Knapp and give Arkansas a 2-1 lead.

The Travelers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Jake Fraley singled to right-center field to lead off the inning, stole second base, advanced to third on Chris Mariscal’s ground out and scored on an RBI single from Logan Taylor. Arkansas could have done more damage in the inning when Knapp hit a two-out double, but Walton grounded out to end the threat.

Tulsa’s lone run came in the fourth inning on Cody Thomas’ ninth home run of the season.

Knapp and Kyle Lewis had two hits each to lead the Travs offensively.

Darin Gillies (1-1) earned the victory in relief for the Travelers after allowing 1 hit with 1 walk in 2 innings. Starter Darren McCaughan went 7 innings, allowing an earned run on Thomas’ home run — one of just 3 hits — with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.