Blake Monar Strikes out Season-High 11 Batters in Otters 7-1 Win
July 6, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
(JOLIET, ILLINOIS) - The Evansville Otters (25-17) received 7.0 innings of two hit ball from pitcher Blake Monar (1-1) and a late four-run ninth inning to secure a 7-1 victory at the Joliet Slammers on Sunday afternoon. The victory claims a series win for Evansville who will now return home on Wednesday for a week-long homestand at Bosse Field.
Evansville rallied early for a first inning lead. Outfielder John Schultz reached on a one-out single and scored two batters later on an RBI single from Nik Balog.
The Otters added to their lead in the second with a leadoff walk from designated hitter Jeremy Nowak who scored later in the inning on a wild pitch.
Monar was staked to a 2-0 lead early but he allowed one run back in the second on an RBI double from Marquis Riley. Monar then had back to back walks that loaded up the bases, only to strike out infielder Max Casper and end the inning.
Both pitchers held the opposition scoreless through the middle innings. Joliet starter Blair Walters allowed just four scattered hits after the first inning as Monar retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced.
Evansville added a run in the seventh on a Phillip Wilson RBI single. Wilson collected another run-producing single in the ninth as part of Evansville's four run rally. Infielder Josh Allen plated Wilson with an RBI triple to left field and Allen then scored on a John Schultz sacrifice fly. Infielder Shayne Houck added a solo home run to left, his team-best eighth home run of the season.
After Houck's home run, the next pitch went over the head of Otters batter Nik Balog who was 3-for-4 on the day. Joliet manager Jeff Isom, catcher Tyler Roberts and pitcher Tyler Thicke were then all ejected from the game.
Closer Orlando Santos threw a scoreless bottom of the ninth to complete the Otters win.
Evansville is off on Monday and Tuesday, before beginning a six-game, five-day homestand at Bosse Field on Wednesday. The Otters host the Traverse City Beach Bums in a doubleheader on July 9 sponsored by Carson's Brewery. Both games are scheduled for seven innings. Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs at the ballpark too! First pitch is 5:35 pm CDT. Fans can call 812-435-8686 to purchase ticets.
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