FL Joliet Slammers

Another Thriller Goes Joliet's Way

Published on August 10, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


(Joliet, IL) - For the second straight night, the Joliet Slammers (43-30) gave up two runs in the first inning. For the second straight night, it didn't matter.

The Slammers knocked off the Gateway Grizzlies (30-43) Wednesday night by a final score of 7-5 as the bullpen once again held on to the lead down the stretch.

For Jake Renshaw (9-4) it was not his best outing but he gutted out five and a third innings to pick up the win. Things did not start well as Charlie Lisk took him deep for a two-run home run in the top of the first as Gateway took a 2-0 lead.

Joliet did not waste much time responding. In the bottom of the first with one away Brad Netzel and Hector Pellot smacked back-to-back singles off Gateway starter Brad Stone (0-7).

After Erik Lis was hit by the pitch, Sean Estand crushed a bases clearing double to give the Slammers a 3-2 lead. He advanced to third on the throw to the plate and scored on a Reid Chenworth RBI grounder.

The 4-2 lead didn't last though as Gateway got one back in the second on a two-out RBI single from Kent Gerst that took a funny hop over the diving Kyle Maunus at first. They tied the game in the fourth on another clutch hit, this time it was Tyler Heil delivering the two-out RBI single.

The Slammers took the lead for good in the fifth. With one away Josh Flores was hit by the pitch and Brad Netzel executed a perfect hit-and-run as he singled Flores to third. Pellot drove Flores in with a sacrifice fly to right and the Slammers proceeded to load the bases as Lis singled and Estand walked. Rookie Reid Chenworth worked the count full against Stone and drew a huge walk to drive in Netzel and put the Slammers up 6-4.

Gateway chased Renshaw in the sixth. Brian Harris doubled to start the frame and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Kent Gerst singled Harris in to cut the lead to 6-5 and that was it for Renshaw. He gave up 10 hits and only struck out one but the bullpen came up huge.

Former major league pitcher Billy Petrick entered the game and struck out the first batter he faced. However, a walk brought the league's RBI leader Charlie Lisk to the plate. Petrick brought the heat and struck out Lisk swinging to get out of the jam.

He left another man stranded in scoring position in the seventh and Brian Smith entered the game in the eighth. With two away back-to-back singles brought Lisk to the plate with a chance to do some serious damage again. And once again a Slammers' reliever was up to the challenge as Smith struck out Lisk to escape the inning unscathed.

With two outs and nobody on in the eighth the Slammers got a big insurance run. Kyle Maunus doubled to dead center field and Ben Hewett drove him home with a single up the middle. That left it up to Joliet native Ryan Quigley who once again made it interesting in the ninth. With one out Case Rigby doubled just out of the reach of a diving Bobby Leeper in center field.

Then with two down Quigley walked pinch hitter Landon Hernandez as the Grizzlies brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the form of pinch hitter Johnny Aldaz. Quigley struck him out as he struck out the side in the frame to secure his league leading 22nd save.

With the win the Slammers are a season best 13 games over .500 and remain 4.5 games up on Traverse City in the East Division.

They look to sweep the season series with Gateway Thursday night as Kevin Crimmel (4-3, 4.80 ERA) takes the mound.

It's the third of four Budweiser Pint Glass Giveaways and another Thirsty Thursday. It's also Lockport Community Night. Lockport businesses interested in promoting their business and enjoying a Slammers game should call Dan DeCaprio at (815) 722-2287. Fans can purchase $1.50 draft beers at the Sweet Baby Rays stand beyond the left field fence. Arrive early as the gates open at 6:00 p.m. for the 7:05 p.m. Central Time game. Afterwards kids will be able to run the bases.

Check out the Joliet Slammers Statistics

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Frontier League Stories from August 10, 2011


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