FRISCO, Texas (TRAVS) - Mike Trout drove in five runs thanks to the first grand slam and first two-homer (3) game of his professional career leading the Arkansas Travelers to a 9-4 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday afternoon at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Eight of nine Travs starters reached base led by Trout's three base hits. Orlando Mercado hit a two-run homer (1) and finished 2-for-4, while Ryan Mount continued his torrid start with his fifth two-hit game of the season.
With back-to-back wins and a series victory over Frisco, the Travelers return to Central Arkansas for Thursday's home opener with a 2-4 record. Frisco heads into the off day 3-3.
The Travelers stormed in front against Frisco starter Wilfredo Boscan (1-1) in the second inning sending nine batters to the plate. Marvin Lowrance hit a leadoff single then advanced to third on Mercado's first hit of the game. Adam Younger delivered the go-ahead base hit with a single to center knocking in Lowrance. When Jay Brossman walked, Trout came up with the bases loaded. On a 1-2 count Trout hit a towering home run over the left-center wall for a 5-0. Boscan was pulled without retiring a batter in the second after giving up a double to Darwin Perez. Tagged with six runs on six base hits, Boscan suffered his first loss of the year.
Justin Miller relieved for Boscan and retired three in a row to get out of the second inning. The Travs loaded the bases in the third against Miller on a walk to Lowrance and singles by Brossman and Mount. The only run however scored when Miller struck out Perez with a wild pitch allowing Lowrance to scorefor a 6-0 lead.
Mark Hamburger relieved for the fourth inning and gave up three runs in three innings all on the long ball. Mercado batted in the fourth inning with Mount at third base and two outs, smacking a line drive home run to left field for an 8-0 lead. Trout's second home run of the day, a solo shot in the fifth inning, tallied the Travs' final run.
All four of Frisco's runs came in the fourth inning against starter Garrett Richards (1-0). After allowing one hit and a walk with four strikeouts in three innings, Richards allowed the first four batters to reach base in the fourth. Joey Butler was hit by a pitch then Mike Bianucci hit an infield single. Richards followed with back-to-back walks to Jose Ruiz and David Paisano forcing in Frisco's first run. Davis Stoneburner grounded out past the mound to knock in Bianucci, then Jose Felix drove in two runs with a double past first base. Still leading by four runs, Richards struck out Guilder Rodriguez before inducing Renny Osuna into an inning-ending pop out.
Richards finished the fifth before handing the game to the bullpen. In winning for the first time in 2011, Richards was charged with four runs on three hits, three walks and six strikeouts.
The Travs bullpen was outstanding combining for four no-hit innings adding five strikeouts. Robert Fish pitched two innings with three punchouts. Matt Meyer struck out two in the eighth, and Chris Scholl worked a perfect ninth.
Time of game was 2:49 and the paid attendance was 5,415.
The Travs enjoy a day off Wednesday before a six-game home stand begins at Dickey-Stephens Park. Thursday's home opener features left hander Trevor Reckling (0-1, 5.40) on the mound for Arkansas versus Midland RockHounds lefty Carlos Hernandez (1-0, 3.00). First pitch is set for 7:10 while the gates open at 5:30 p.m.