Towler Shuts Out Invaders, Apollos Win, 4-0
David Towler earned his first victory of the season, doing it in style as he blanked the Roswell Invaders in leading the Houston Apollos to a 4-0 victory. Towler allowed three-hits in the rain shortened affair. Houston was led by Minor League Sports Report Player of Week Yale Hughes, who scored two runs and drove in another.
Roswell starter Stephen Keller and Towler were both sharp through the first two frames. Towler allowed a runner in each of the first two innings, then found himself in a little bit of trouble in the top of the third when he gave up back-to-back singles with one out. However, he got Seth Strong to hit into a double-play to end the threat.
Keller had breezed through the first two frames. He gave up a two out double in the bottom of the first, but then retired four straight, including striking out two in the second.
Keller came out in the third and things fell apart quickly. Towler led off with a triple and scored when Michael Flohr followed with a double. An error allowed Hughes to reach and Flohr came home on a sacrifice fly by Aaron Stubblefield. A single by Mike Million and Tevin Brown reaching base after being hit by a pitch loaded the bases with one down.
That would be it for Matt Cronin, who was pulled for Tyler Schmidt. Schmidt was able to get out of the frame by getting Trey Silmon to hit into a double-play, but not before walking Mike Wilson to bring home the third run of the frame.
Towler took over from there. He gave up a one out walk, followed by a single in the top of the fourth but two ground outs ended the inning. In the fifth, he hit Ausar Rankin with one down, but got the final two outs to strand Rankin, the seventh runner left stranded by Roswell.
The Apollos added one more run in the bottom of the fifth. Alexander Merithew came on in relief and was greeted by Hughes’ second homer of the year. Stubblefield followed with a single and then the rains came, ending the game.
Hughes finished 1-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Wilson and Flohr drove in a run apiece. Mike Million had two hits.
By Robert Pannier
