Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Bergeron Homers Twice, But Late Sacrifice Flies Vault Rox Past Jackals

Published on August 18, 2010 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Brockton, Mass. - First baseman Jabe Bergeron crushed a pair of home runs, but the Brockton Rox used a duo of late-game sacrifice flies to rally past the New Jersey Jackals 6-5 on Wednesday night at Campanelli Stadium.

Leading 5-4, New Jersey turned to reliever Edgar Estanga in the bottom of the eighth. After a pair of one-out walks and a passed ball, Rox first baseman Melvin Falu lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to even the score at five. Brad Hertzler then entered out of the Brockton bullpen and retired the Jackals in order in the top of the ninth on just seven pitches to send the game to the bottom of the ninth.

In the home half of the ninth, catcher Chris Grossman, who had homered earlier, ripped a leadoff double off the wall in left field. After a Mike Conroy sacrifice bunt advanced Grossman to third, the Jackals turned to closer Romas Hicks. But shortstop Dominic Ramos lofted a sacrifice fly to deep left, scoring Grossman with the game-winning run.

After New Jersey starter Justin Jones retired the first five batters he faced, Brockton opened the scoring in the bottom of the second when Grossman cracked his second homer of the series just to the left of the batters eye in center field to give the Rox a 1-0 lead.

The Jackals tied the score in the top of the third on an RBI groundout by center fielder Adam Godwin following back-to-back singles by catcher Angel Flores and left fielder Kevin Clark to begin the frame, but Brockton regained the lead in the bottom of the frame on an RBI double off the bat of center fielder Chris Valencia.

The teams traded runs in the fourth inning when Bergeron ripped a solo homer to left and Falu singled before scoring on a groundout as Brockton lead 3-2 after four frames.

However, Bergeron struck an inning later to give the Jackals their first lead of the day at 4-3 when he connected on his second home run of the day with Mike DeJesus aboard via a walk.

In the bottom of the sixth, Brockton second baseman Shawn Williams lined his fifth homer of the season to once again even the score, but the Jackals answered in the top of the seventh with an Abraham Nunez RBI single to take a 6-5 lead.

Hertzler (2-1) earned the win while Estanga (2-7) took the loss. In his third start for New Jersey, Jones threw just 92 pitches over seven innings while allowing four runs on five hits with six strikeouts. Brockton starter Mike Wlodarczyk fanned nine batters and yielded five runs on 11 hits in eight frames.

Offensively, the bottom of the order contributed five of New Jersey's 11 hits. Catcher Angel Flores went 3-for-4 to collect his fifth multi-hit effort in his last nine starts while ninth-place hitter Kevin Clark finished the evening 2-for-4.

The Jackals (13-16 second half, 32-43 overall) and Rox (17-11, 44-31) meet for the final time during the regular season on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at Campanelli Stadium when New Jersey sends southpaw Jayson Miller (2-2, 4.77) to the mound against Brockton right-hander Freddy Flores (7-2, 3.79). Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

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. 2010 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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Canadian American League Stories from August 18, 2010


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