The Arkansas Travelers improved to 4-0 after a weather-shortened 2-1 victory in 5 1/2 innings over the Midland RockHounds on Sunday afternoon at Security Bank Ballpark in Midland, Texas.
Rain forced the game to be delayed with no outs in the bottom of the sixth and a 0-0 count on Midland first baseman Matt Olson. The game was officially called after a 50-minute delay.
The Travs swept Frisco in their season-opening series before winning their first game of a three-game series Sunday in Midland.
Left fielder Kentrail Davis and first baseman Wade Hinkle each went 2 for 3 to lead the Travs. Catcher Anthony Bemboom, third baseman Drew Maggi and right fielder Cal Towey each added a hit for Arkansas.
Alan Busenitz (1-0) allowed 1 run on 3 hits and struck out 4 in 5 innings. He walked one batter. Austin Wood pitched to one batter in the bottom of the sixth before the game was delayed.
The Travs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Davis singled, but was forced out at second on Hinkle's fielder's choice. Maggi walked and one batter later, Bemboom hit a RBI single, driving in Hinkle.
Arkansas made it 2-0 in the fourth inning when Davis hit his second home run of the season on a 1-0 pitch from Midland starter Jake Sanchez.
Midland cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth on right fielder Chad Oberacker's RBI single that scored catcher Carson Blair from second. But that was all the RockHounds would get, as center fielder Bobby Crocker grounded out to end the inning.
Sanchez allowed 2 runs on 6 hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked two.
ROUGHRIDERS 7, NATURALS 2
Northwest Arkansas left-hander Brandon Finnegan struggled in his first Class AA start, as the Naturals lost to Frisco at Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas.
Finnegan, who pitched for the Kansas City Royals in the American League playoffs and World Series last year as a reliever, gave up 7 runs, 3 earned, on 5 hits in 3 innings. He struck out three and walked two as the Royals are wanting Finnegan to work as a starting pitcher this year.
The Naturals committed two errors in the second inning that led to four runs for Frisco, which took a 7-1 lead.
Center fielder Lane Adams had a double for Northwest Arkansas. Third baseman Hunter Dozier singled while designated hitter Mike Bianucci and first baseman Balbino Fuenmayor each drove in a run for the Naturals.
Sports on 04/13/2015