Raleigh, bullpen pace Arkansas in semis
Cal Raleigh didn't record a hit in the Texas League semifinals opener, but he helped Double-A Arkansas take the edge in the series. The seventh-ranked Mariners prospect walked and scored the winning run in the eighth inning and the Travelers bullpen posted four hitless innings in Arkansas' 2-1 victory over Tulsa
The seventh-ranked Mariners prospect walked and scored the winning run in the eighth inning and the Travelers bullpen posted four hitless innings in Arkansas' 2-1 victory over Tulsa in Game 1 of the best-of-5 set at Dickey-Stephens Park on Wednesday.
With the score tied in the eighth, 1-1, Raleigh led off the frame with a six-pitch walk against righty
"That was a great at-bat. It was very impressive for a young player that's only been here for maybe less than two months," Travelers manager Cesar Nicolas said of Raleigh. "He's mature and capable and he's done so much this year, so it was great to see him come up with a professional at-bat and get a leadoff walk."
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The one-run lead was all
"We have all the confidence in the world in those guys," Nicolas said of his relievers. "They have done it all year, they keep us in striking distance and that's what they did again tonight. ... Luckily for us, we also got some good bounces at the end."
No. 27 Mariners prospect
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"He's been great, he's been fantastic for us and he's only had a handful of earned runs with us," Nicolas said. "He's controlling the zone, working ahead, attacking hitters and he has ton of confidence. We were talking about it on the last day of the season, and he's come in with us and fit in seamlessly."
On the other side, fourth-ranked Dodgers prospect
Game 2 of the series is slated for Thursday in Arkansas.
In other Texas League playoff action:
RockHounds 8, Sod Poodles 3
Andrew Battifarano is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter, @AndrewAtBatt.