TEXAS LEAGUE: Naturals roll, Travs hurting

Northwest Arkansas’ Chris McConnell (left) tags out Arkansas’ Jeremy Moore during the first inning of Sunday’s game at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.
Northwest Arkansas’ Chris McConnell (left) tags out Arkansas’ Jeremy Moore during the first inning of Sunday’s game at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.

— Ernesto Mejia drove in three runs and came within a triple of hitting for the cycle as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals defeated the Arkansas Travelers 6-3 in front of 4,387 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park on Sunday night.

It was the Naturals’ 15th victory in 19 meetings against the Travelers this season. and the Angels’ organization picked up a scare, in addition, when starting pitcher Trevor Reckling left the game in the second inning after complaining of pain in his left biceps.

“We’re not sure right now, but he said he felt a cramp,” Arkansas Manager Bobby Magallanes said. “We’re hoping that’s all it is, but yes, we’re concerned, very concerned.”

Reckling, who started 23 games for the Travelers in 2009 and is considered one of the Angels’ top prospects, had struggled with Class AAA Salt Lake this season. The left-hander was sent back to Arkansas last week after compiling a 4-7 record with a 8.53 ERA in the Pacific Coast League.

Reckling’s first appearance back in the Texas League lasted only 13 pitches.

After a perfect first inning that included strikeouts of Paulo Orlando and Mike Moustakas, Reckling fanned Clint Robinson on a 1-2 pitch to start the second inning. But when Reckling grabbed his upper left arm after the pitch, Travelers pitching coach Ken Patterson and trainer Eric Munson both emerged from the dugout to check on the left-hander.

Magallanes walked onto the field a few seconds later and wasted little time before calling on Ryan Braiser to make his first relief appearance of the season.

Northwest Arkansas rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win its third consecutive game. Home runs from Mejia and Chris McConnell off Braiser tied the game at 2 in the third inning, and the Naturals broke the game open an inning later against left-hander Andrew Taylor (0-1) when back-to back hits by Mejia and Jeff Howell each drove two runs for a 6-2 Naturals lead.

“I was trying to stay back on a lot of stuff tonight,” Mejia said. “I’ve been seeing a lot of breaking balls, so this is good for me. I got a little lucky tonight.”

Mejia doubled in the sixth inning for his third hit in his first three plate appearances, but the Naturals’ designated hitter missed his chance for the cycle when he flew out to deep left field in the eighth.

Naturals starter Eduardo Paulino (6-3) improved to 3-1 against Arkansas despite throwing a season-high four wild pitches. Paulino went 7 innings, striking out 5 while walking 2 and allowing 4 hits.

“(Paulino) got stronger the longer he went,” Magallanes said. “We just didn’t take advantage of the hits we did get.”

Wild pitches figured into both of the Travelers’ runs. Leadoff batter Tyson Auer struck out to start the first inning but reached on a wild pitch. Auer stole second and scored on Jeremy Moore’s line single to right.

Roberto Lopez doubled to lead off the second inning, took third on Richard Cates’ sacrifice and scored on Paulino’s second wild pitch.

Arkansas added a run in the ninth when Moore, who had three of the Travelers’ five hits, tripled to left-center field and scored on a groundout by Julio Perez.

Travs at a glance WHO Arkansas vs. Northwest Arkansas WHEN 7:10 p.m. today WHERE Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock PITCHERS Travelers: Daniel Cabrera (RHP, 0-0, 2-0 ERA). Naturals: TBA RADIO KARN-AM, 920, in Little Rock WEBSITE travs.com TICKETS Gates open one hour before first pitch. Tickets are $12 box seats, $8 reserved, $7 military, $3 children.

PROMOTIONS A $3 discount coupon can be found in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports section.

SHORT HOPS Arkansas pitcher Daniel Cabrera will make his first start of the year tonight.

THE WEEK AHEAD TODAY vs. NW Arkansas, 7:10 p.m.

TUESDAY Off WEDNESDAY Off THURSDAY at Midland, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY at Midland, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY at Midland, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY at Frisco, 6 p.m.

Sports, Pages 13 on 06/28/2010

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