Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Cabrera Delivers Walk-Off Single, Jackals Win in 11

Published on June 24, 2018 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


On Star Wars night at Yogi Berra Stadium, the New Jersey Jackals faced off against the Quebec Capitales in a big Saturday night matchup. The pitching matchup between Yasmani Hernandez for the Jackals and Brett Lee for the Capitales would be a rollercoaster for both sides, as the Jackals came away with a 9-8 victory, its second comeback win in as many nights.

After a three-run third inning, coming from a Nolan Meadows two-run home run and Dean Green solo home run, the Jackals led 3-0 after three innings against Quebec.

After 4.1 hitless innings, Jordan Serena recorded the first hit for the Capitales in the fifth. In that same inning, Lachlan Fontaine drove in the first run for Quebec on a single, scoring Serena from second. Later in that inning, Juan Avila doubled to deep center over Jackals center fielder David Harris' head, scoring two more runs, tying the game at three.

Five more runs came around to score in the inning, two of them coming off of a throwing error by Jackals third baseman Daniel Canela. Hernandez would not record another out, thus reliever Jose Velez entered the game in the fifth inning.

The 6-foot 1 hurler finished the fifth inning as well as firing a scoreless sixth inning, keeping the game at 8-3. He faced eight batters and he only allowed one hit in 2.1 innings pitched.

In the sixth inning, utility-man Seth Spivey and right fielder Jordan Hinshaw recorded hits for the Jackals to possibly erase the five-run deficit at hand. Unfortunately both runners were stranded heading into the last third of the ballgame. Heading into the eighth inning, reliever Tyler Levine came to the mound and completed a scoreless inning, which included an impressive sprint to first, beating Quebec's Steven Figueroa on a comeback line-drive.

Brett Lee pitched to contact for the majority of the game, only striking out one batter but only walking one in 7.2 innings. Left fielder Connor Hofmann doubled to start the bottom of the eighth which seemed to kickstart the Jackals offense. Hinshaw then legged out an infield single, advancing Hofmann to third. First baseman Dean Green grounded into a double play but Hofmann did score on the play, cutting the deficit to four runs. For Quebec, reliever Andrew Elliot faced one batter and retired Harris on one pitch to end the eighth inning.

Levine came out for the ninth inning, looking for a shutdown frame to keep the momentum in the Jackals favor. He did just that by having a routine ninth inning, stranding Juan Avila at first base, who reached on an error.

In front of an eager crowd, the Jackals were looking to not go home so easily in the bottom of the ninth. Quebec turned to Jay Johnson to try and end the Jackals hopes in the bottom of the ninth. Seth Spivey led off the frame with a shallow single into center field, starting off the inning right for New Jersey. Shortstop Carlos Truinfel battled against Johnson with a long-term at bat, which ended up with a hit by pitch.

Daniel Canela lined a first pitch fastball into right field to score Spivey and Quebec's lead was trimmed to three. Catcher Andy Mochabee grounded a short chopper to third baseman Brad Antchak which ended up scoring Truinfel from third base to make it an 8-6 ballgame in the bottom of the ninth. Jay Johnson only recorded one out but allowed three runs in the process to allow the Jackals to have life late in the game. In relief of Johnson, Quebec called on Nolan Becker to close out the game. It was a tall task for New Jersey to rally but they were up to the challenge. After a Nolan Meadows groundout, leadoff hitter Hofmann came to the plate as the tying run with Rony Cabrera at third.

With a 1-1 count, Hofmann squared around to bunt, but he was hit directly in the face by a fastball which sent him to the ground in pain. Fortunately, he left the stadium under his own power with a towel covering his face. Jackals newcomer Jordan Hinshaw stepped to the plate. Down to his last strike, the right fielder fought intently with a 1-2 count, wanting to tie the game and then he laced a double into left field as he tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a two-run double.

Tyler Levine headed out for a third inning of work in the 10th, but only recorded one out. After a one out single by Quebec second baseman TJ White, newly dubbed bullpen piece Mat Latos came into the game and energized the Jackals and the fans. Latos faced two batters in the tenth inning and struck both of them out with ease. The former All-Star would then hurl another impressive inning to send this game to the eleventh inning, striking out three total batters.

Because of pace of play rules, Carlos Triunfel was placed at second base to start the bottom of the eleventh with Kevin Torres to lead off the inning. After a passed ball, Triunfel took third and Torres was eventually intentionally walked. Andy Mochabee drew a walk as well to load the bases

Rony Cabrera, waiting for this Jackals moment, laced a opposite field single to walk-off the Jackals on a 1-2 pitch, scoring Truinfel, in the craziest game to date where the second baseman was mobbed by his teammates.

?The Jackals look for the series sweep on Sunday, June 24 at Yogi Berra Stadium. First pitch is set for 2:05 P.M.

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Canadian American League Stories from June 24, 2018


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