Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Dominant Pitching Carries Jackals To Doubleheader Split

Published on August 13, 2010 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - After falling 10-2 in the first game of their doubleheader against the Worcester Tornadoes, the New Jersey Jackals received a dominant pitching performance in the nightcap en route to a 2-0 win to earn the split on Friday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.

With Worcester ace John Kelly looking to rebound after the worst start of his nine-year independent career, New Jersey's first three batters of game two reached base as the Tornadoes righty tossed 30 pitches in the first inning. After a pair of walks and a Mike DeJesus single loaded the bases, Jackals right fielder Carlos Sosa lifted a no-out sacrifice fly to the warning track in left center to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead.

From there, southpaw Jayson Miller took over. Miller (2-0) scattered six hits over five innings, allowing at least one base hit but also stranding a runner on base in each frame to earn the win. Reliever Edward Rodriguez contributed a perfect sixth inning before closer Romas Hicks struck out the side in the seventh to notch his league-leading 17th save of the season. Over his last five outings, Hicks hasn't allowed a hit during 6.1 innings while Rodriguez has tossed 8.1 scoreless frames to begin the month of August.

The Jackals tacked on an insurance run with two outs in the bottom of the third when first baseman Jabe Bergeron laced a triple to right center and scored when the Tornadoes threw the relay into the third base dugout to make it 2-0 New Jersey.

In game one, New Jersey starter Justin Jones and Worcester left-hander Zach Zuercher battled through three scoreless innings before the Tornadoes erupted for six runs in the top of the fourth. After shortstop Omar Pena reached on a one-out error, the next five Worcester batters also reached base and scored to make it 6-0. In the frame, designated hitter Nick Salotti and right fielder Stantrel Smith each doubled home a pair of runs while catcher Alex Trezza added an RBI double and third baseman Mark Minicozzi singled in a run.

The Jackals rallied for two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a run-scoring double play and a bases-loaded walk by catcher Angel Flores, but Worcester put the game out of reach with three runs in the sixth highlighted by a Boomer Blanchard two-run double. Minicozzi capped the scoring in the seventh when he lifted his eighth home run of the season to right center against reliever Luis Fernandez.

Jones (0-1) took the loss after allowing eight runs, seven earned, on six hits before leaving with no outs in the sixth. Zuercher (3-2) surrendered two runs on six hits over six innings to earn the win.

The Jackals (12-13 second half, 31-40 overall) and Tornadoes (12-13, 31-41) continue their four-game weekend series on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends left-hander Isaac Pavlik to the mound. 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 13, 2010


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