SPRINGDALE -- Brooks Pounders took another big step forward Wednesday evening at Arvest Ballpark.
The 6-3, 270-pound right-hander pitched seven strong innings in his second Class AA start of the season to lead Northwest Arkansas to a 6-2 victory over Arkansas in front of 3,142.
Today’s game
ARKANSAS AT SPRINGFIELD
WHEN 7:10 p.m. Central
WHERE Hammons Field, Springfield, Mo.
RADIO KARN-AM, 920, in central Arkansas
WEBSITE travs.com
PITCHERS Travs: TBD; Cardinals: Jimmy Reed (LHP, 2-2, 3.70 ERA)
SHORT HOPS The Travelers activated right-handed pitcher Albert Suarez from the seven-day disabled list Wednesday. Suarez is 8-7 with a 3.44 ERA in 20 starts this season for Arkansas. He last pitched July 26 at Tulsa.
THE WEEK AHEAD
TODAY at Springfield, 7:10 p.m.
FRIDAY at Springfield, 7:10 p.m.
SATURDAY at Springfield, 6:10 p.m.
SUNDAY at Springfield, 6:10 p.m.
MONDAY off
TUESDAY Corpus Christi, 7:10 p.m.
WEDNESDAY Corpus Christi, 7:10 p.m.
Pounders missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings in his first start with the Naturals.
Northwest Arkansas Manager Vance Wilson said liked the progress Pounders made in his second start.
"He pounded the zone," Wilson said. "He didn't let them sustain any rallies. When they did, he got a big double play early. He did a very nice job. A little better holding runners. All around it was a good package game for him.
"I thought in his first start he lost his composure a little bit. ... He stayed within himself tonight, showed good velocity and commanded four pitches."
Pounders received all the support he needed thanks to a couple of two-run home runs by his teammates. Bubba Starling hit his seventh home run of the season in the first inning for a 2-0 lead, and Frank Schwindel hit his second home run in the bottom of the fourth to break a 2-2 tie.
Arkansas Manager Bill Richardson gave Pounders credit for pitching out of a couple of jams after the Travelers left runners at second and third twice in the game. The Travelers also loaded the bases in the ninth inning on two walks and a hit batsman, but Malcom Culver struck out Chad Hinshaw on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.
The Travs committed four errors in a game for the third time this season.
"I didn't like the way we took care of the ball," Richardson said. "I didn't like our tempo. You turn the page and go play tomorrow. You can't make mistakes against this team."
Travs pitcher Albert Suarez (8-8) failed in his attempt to move into a tie for the Texas League lead in victories, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits over 6 innings. He struck out 10 to climb to third in the league with 93 for the season.
Sports on 08/06/2015