Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

After Bergeron's Early Slam, Jackals Fall To Tornadoes In Extra's

Published on July 19, 2010 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Worcester, Mass. - The New Jersey Jackals took an early 6-0 lead on the strength of a Jabe Bergeron grand slam, but the Worcester Tornadoes battled back and catcher Alex Trezza delivered a walk-off double in the bottom of the 10th inning to carry Worcester past New Jersey 8-7 on Monday night at Hanover Insurance Park.

In the first game of the second half of the Can-Am League season, the Jackals broke open the scoring with a five-run second inning keyed by an RBI single by catcher Dean Forthun and a grand slam down the right field line off the bat of Bergeron. New Jersey used a Jovan Rosa RBI single in the top of the fifth inning after a Bergeron leadoff single to gain a 6-0 advantage.

In his Jackals debut, left-hander Jayson Miller dominated the Tornadoes early as he allowed just one single through four frames. But in the bottom of the fifth, Worcester loaded the bases with two outs and right fielder Stantrel Smith delivered his own grand slam to pull the Tornadoes within two at 6-4. An inning later, Worcester's Danny Sentiesteban laced a two-out, two-run double off the wall in left center to even the score at 6-6.

An RBI single by first baseman Chris Colabello in the seventh vaulted the Tornadoes to their first lead of the contest at 7-6, but New Jersey's Abraham Nunez sent the game into extra innings with a one-out RBI single against Rick Asadoorian in the top of the ninth.

Worcester's Ryan Crespi led off the bottom of the ninth with a single and was bunted over to second, but wasn't able to score. Asadoorian then sent New Jersey down in order in the top of the 10th. In the bottom of the frame, reliever Mike Pontius struck out the first two batters he faced before doling out a walk to third baseman Mark Minicozzi, who scored from first when Trezza sliced a double off the warning track in left center to plate the game-winning run.

Miller, a former Los Angeles Angels farmhand who began the season with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, finished the night with seven strikeouts while allowing five runs on four hits with just two walks in 5 1/3 innings. Worcester starter Zach Zuercher allowed six runs on 10 hits over six frames. Neither starter factored in the decision as Asadoorian (1-0) held the Jackals off the scoreboard in the top of the 10th inning to earn the win while New Jersey reliever Mike Pontius (1-3) tossed the final two innings in the losing effort.

Offensively for the Jackals, Bergeron went 3-for-5 while Rosa, Nunez, and second baseman Travis Jones each collected two hits.

The Jackals and Tornadoes continue their three-game series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Hanover Insurance Park when New Jersey sends right-hander Nick Asselin (1-6, 7.66) to the mound against Worcester righty John Kelly (5-2, 2.76). Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

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Canadian American League Stories from July 19, 2010


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