Little Falls, NJ - Right-hander Michel Simard hurled eight shutout innings as Les Capitales de Quebec (3-3) defeated the New Jersey Jackals (3-3) by a score of 3-1 on Tuesday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.Simard (2-0), who has now tossed 14 consecutive scoreless innings to begin the season, allowed four hits and struck out four batters without surrendering a walk. New Jersey southpaw Dave Qualben (0-1) was the tough-luck loser, surrendering two runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Quebec closer Jason Schutt allowed one run in the ninth, but earned his second save of the season.
With the game scoreless heading into the top of the sixth inning, Quebec broke through with a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead. After Qualben induced a groundout for the first out of the frame, three consecutive Capitales singled to load the bases for designated hitter Greg Stevens, who lifted a fly ball to center field that was lost in the twilight and fell for an RBI single to plate first baseman Eddie Lantigua. The next batter, left fielder Issael Gonzalez, lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score catcher Pete LaForest for the game's second run.
Quebec added a run in the top of the eighth inning as right fielder Alex Nunez singled with one out and stole second, enabling Gonzalez to single him home to extend the Capitales lead to 3-0.
The Jackals plated a run in the bottom of the ninth inning when third baseman Myron Leslie ripped a single down the right field line to send second baseman Marcus Sanders home, but Schutt halted the rally when he induced a game-ending groundout by first baseman Juan Tejeda. Offensively, Leslie went 2-for-4 as the only Jackal to record a multi-hit game. Center fielder Zack Smithlin collected his 499th career hit with a third-inning single in a 1-for-3 night at the plate. The Jackals and Capitales conclude their three-game series on Wednesday morning at 11:05 a.m. when New Jersey sends reigning Can-Am League Pitcher of the Week Isaac Pavlik to the hill against Quebec righty Orlando Trias. Cody Chrusciel and Joey Whelan provide the live webcast beginning at 10:50 a.m. with Jackals Pregame.
The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2009 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.
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