TEXAS LEAGUE : Francis’ brief work tough on Travelers
Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Jeff Francis didn’t need the run support. Francis, a 17-game winner for the Colorado Rockies last season, made an injury rehab start for the Tulsa Drillers on Monday night and looked every bit the major leaguer. The Drillers’ offense was just as sharp. Tulsa beat the Arkansas Travelers 12-3 in front 5, 595 at a steamy Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock. The Drillers (16-14 ) had 15 hits against three Travs pitchers to earn a split in the four-game series. Francis was long gone before the 2-hour, 59-minute game was finished. He wasted little time 2 in going 3 / 3 innings, giving up 1 hit with 2 strikeouts while facing the minimum 11 batters. Francis is 3-7 with a 5. 67 ERA this season. He was placed on the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation July 3, and made his first rehab start Monday.
The 6-5 left-hander retired the first seven batters he faced before Brian Walker’s single to center in the third inning. Walker was erased when Ryan Leahy hit into a double play in the next at-bat.
Francis, the 2004 Texas League Pitcher of the Year, left in the fourth inning after 52 pitches.
Tulsa was leading 6-0 at that time, and Arkansas (9-21 ) never threatened.
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