Texas League

Scuffling Johnson's home run enough to carry Travs

TRAVELERS 2, DRILLERS 1

Sherman Johnson has scuffled through August a bit more than any of his Arkansas Travelers teammates, but the second baseman was the biggest reason the Travs' winning streak reached seven games Wednesday night.

Johnson lifted a 2-0 fastball from Ross Stripling down the right-field line for a two-run home run in the first inning, then Michael Brady pitched 6 1/3 solid innings and the Travs beat the Tulsa Drillers 2-1 at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.

"Anything to help the team," Johnson said. "We're just in the middle of a playoff race, so we can't really think about individual things anymore, just trying to help the team more."

Arkansas Manager Bill Richardson was pleased Johnson's home run led to another victory -- the Travs' seven consecutive victories are a season high and their lead in the Texas League North Division is now four games -- but he was happy to see the big hit come from Johnson, too.

Johnson, 25, is hitting .158 (12-for-76) in August and .177 since July 1. The recent slide has led Richardson to move Johnson around in the order in search of a spark. Johnson spent most of the season as the Travs' lead-off hitter, but has recently hit as low as fifth and sixth. On Wednesday, he was second, and his two-run home run followed a single by Ruben Sosa.

"He's got tunnel vision and it was to try and free him up. Just play," said Richardson of moving Johnson in the lineup. "This league will humble you pretty quick, but he's still doing the little things."

Johnson, who had two singles Tuesday night and a single Monday, said he's starting to feel a corner turned.

"I've felt more comfortable of late," he said. "Just trying to hit mistake pitches, and when they don't make a mistake, try to lay off the bad pitches."

Johnson's two-run home run held up when Brady had his most efficient start in a month. He held Tulsa to five hits and allowed a only a home run by Brandon Dixon in the second inning. He got a double play to get out of the second inning, then retired the next six batters before pitching around a lead-off double in the fifth.

Brady struck out five and didn't issue a walk.

"Really pleased," Richardson said. "We had a couple of situations tonight that could have really changed the game and we handled every one of them."

Sports on 08/27/2015

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