'Cats upend 'Hammers
Published on July 18, 2008 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL-The Gary SouthShore RailCats (28-28) beat the Joliet JackHammers 10-5 before 4,011 fans at Silver Cross Field on Friday night. The JackHammers (27-27) are now 2-3 on their current seven-game home stand, which continues with the middle game of the three-game series against Gary on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.
The JackHammers scored four runs in the first inning against Gary starting pitcher Garret Holleran. Nick McIntyre (2-4) hit a one-out single and stole second base. Steve Garrabrants (2-4) worked a walk to put runners at first and second base for Cory Harris (1-5), who hit an RBI double to score Garrabrants for a 1-0 Joliet lead.
Joey Gomes (3-4) followed with a two-run single to score Garrabrants and Harris and make it a 3-0 lead. Gomes advanced to second on an error by the Gary CF Rob Marconi. Wally Backman, Jr. (2-3) hit a single to advance to Gomes to third. The JackHammers then executed a delayed double-steal. Gomes scored from third base for a 5-0 lead.
The RailCats scored one run in the second inning. Eric Blakely (2-3) singled and went to second base on an error by Joliet RF Wally Backman, Jr. Rob Marconi (3-5) hit an RBI single to score Blakely to get the RailCats on the board at 5-1.
Gary scored two more runs in the fifth inning against the JackHammers starter Carlos Castillo. He left the game after six innings and allowed three runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out three. He pitched well enough to win but got a "no-decision" on Friday.
The JackHammers had a slim 4-3 lead entering the eighth inning when the RailCats pushed across two runs to make it 5-4. Steve Haake (2-4) hit a double and scored on a double by Jay Pecci (4-5). Tanner Townsend (1-4) hit an RBI single to score Pecci and give Gary a 5-4 lead.
Joliet fought back to tie the game on a solo home run by Gomes in the eighth inning. It was the seventh home run of the season for the JackHammers designated hitter.
The RailCats scored five runs in the ninth inning against JackHammers left-hander Dan Ziegler (0-3). Gary took a commanding 10-5 lead and snapped a four-game losing streak with the victory.
Loose Gravel: The game featured some spectacular defensive plays by the Joliet middle infielders. In the seventh inning, SS Nick McIntyre caught a line drive from Mike Rhode for the second out of the inning and threw over to third base to double off Tanner Townsend. In the eighth inning, 2B Joe Hooft caught a line drive from John McCarthy and dove to the second base bag to force out Anthony Equer. Both double plays ended their respective innings.
On Saturday night, the JackHammers and RailCats battle in game two of their three-game series. Drew Dickinson (3-4, 5.67) will get the start for Gary against Nate Sevier (3-3, 4.08) for the JackHammers. The JackHammers will present fireworks after the game! The first pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and pre-game coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on AM 1340 WJOL and online at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.
The JackHammers currently have partial-season seats, mini-plan packages, group outings and individual tickets on sale. To invest in tickets, or for more information, please contact the JackHammers Ticket Department TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours or visit the JackHammers website at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.
Northern League Stories from July 18, 2008
- 'Cats upend 'Hammers - Joliet JackHammers
- Jermaine Allensworth goes 4-for-5 for the second straight night. - Schaumburg Flyers
- Five Run Ninth Propels RailCats to 10-5 Win in Joliet - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Flyers Down Bones in Opener 6-3 - Kansas City Monarchs
- RedHawks extend wining streak with victory - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Watson, Mahar Sign with Philadelphia - Kansas City Monarchs
- Flyers Win a Thriller in Joliet - Schaumburg Flyers
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