Cruse Outduels Bay in Game One Loss
September 8, 2010 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL - Bear Bay went the distance, making one mistake to Ray Sadler as the Kansas City T-Bones (1-0) knocked off the Joliet JackHammers (0-1) 1-0 in a pitcher's duel at Silver Cross Field. Andrew Cruse tossed a complete game shutout for Kansas City, his first of the season.
Bay (0-1) allowed only five hits, but one was a solo leadoff home run by Sadler in the fifth inning to break a scoreless game. Bay didn't allow a run the rest of the way, finishing with seven strikeouts and no walks.
Cruse (1-0) worked out of a few jams, but never broke to earn the victory. The right-hander retired the first 13 batters he faced before Freddie Thon lined a double to the left field wall with one away in the fifth. Thon moved to third on a Richard Mercado groundout and Chris Colton walked to put runners at the corners with two outs. Cruse settled down and induced a grounder from Roberto Mena to end the threat.
The JackHammers best scoring opportunity occurred in the sixth, putting two runners on with one out. Jonathan Wyatt coaxed a walk and Kevin Rios singled to center with both runners moving up on the throw to third by Keanon Simon. Brad Correll popped up the first pitch on the infield and Jon Nelson grounded out to third for the third out.
Kansas City only put two runners on against Bay in the seventh, getting back to back singles from Gabriel Martinez and Ray Sadler with one out. Jim Fasano and Dwayne White each followed with fly outs to kill the rally.
Joliet did put the tying run on in the ninth after Thon singled with one out. Mercado lined a ball to Jake Blackwood at second, who extended and timed his jump perfectly to make the catch. Colton popped out to short next for the game's final out.
Cruse walked three and allowed five hits in the complete game shutout, throwing 115 pitches.
Thon and Rios each had two hits for Joliet while Sadler led Kansas City with two hits, including the solo home run.
The JackHammers and T-Bones continue their Opening Round series tomorrow night at Silver Cross Field. Devin Anderson (0-0) will go up against former JackHammer, Mike Rocco (0-0), on the bump. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. with a 6:20 p.m. pre-game show on 1340 WJOL.
Loose Gravel - The JackHammers are now 0-4 all time in the playoffs, including an 0-2 record at Silver Cross Field - Game One was played in a speedy two hours and 20 minutes - Joliet entered the series 6-2 against Kansas City at Silver Cross Field - The complete game by Bear Bay was his second of the season.
Northern League Stories from September 8, 2010
- Cruse Outduels Bay in Game One Loss - Joliet JackHammers
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