Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Down 9-2, Newark Fights Back For 11-9 Win

August 28, 2012 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


The Jackals lead 9-2 after five innings, but a Newark Bears' touchdown the following frame tied the score. Newark would add two late runs to complete the comeback 11-9 in a wild one Tuesday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.

Joe Calfapietra remains at 499 wins as Jackals manager.

By the end of the game, starting pitcher Kyle Greenwalt was at first, designated hitter Nick Salotti was catching for the first time since 2008, and Bryan Sabatella was back at third base for the first time in a calendar year.

Right away, the Jackals fell a home run shy of the cycle when they sent eight to bat in the first inning to take the early 3-0 lead. Bryan Sabatella's RBI single the following inning put New Jersey up 4-0.

D'Angelo Jimenez's one-out single in the third brought in Bryce Lane to put Newark on the board 4-1. Juan Martinez's seventh home run an inning later cut the deficit to 4-2.

But the Jackals bats exploded for five runs an inning later. Four singles, two walks, and two Newark errors gave New Jersey a seemingly insurmountable 9-2 lead.

In that inning, Chris Henderson was ejected arguing balls and strikes. Keep that in mind.

Newark wasted no time in their response. They would send 12 to the plate the following half inning via a collection of singles, walks, and two hit-by-pitches.

In the frame, Juan Martinez was hit in the back of the head with a Jake Hale fastball and left the game.

Also in that inning, the Jackals' only other catcher Jeff Lanning was ejected for arguing balls and strikes. In his first game in the field all season, first baseman Nick Salotti went behind the plate for the first time since 2008 and performed nicely.

With Francisco Caraballo and Hitter of the Week Angel Berroa unavailable, Joe Calfapietra sent out starting pitcher Kyle Greenwalt to play first base for the first time in his professional career.

Between the following half innings, third baseman Nick Giarraputo would leave the game forcing Joe Calfapietra to switch Edgard Clemente from the designated hitter's slot to left field. Sabatella came in to play third for the first time this year.

At this point, the score is 9-9 in the top of the seventh and both starting pitchers are out of the game. For New Jersey, Dustin Birosak went 5 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs off ten hits. He earns the no-decision.

Newark's Julian Sampson throws 4 1/3 innings and allows nine runs on 10 hits to earn the no-decision as well.

In the eighth inning, Jake Wiley allowed a two-out RBI single to James Roche to allow the eventual game-winning run to score. Wiley earns a loss in his first decision since the Jackals acquired him mid-July.

Anthony Pluta threw two scoreless innings of relief for Newark to earn the victory. He improves to 4-5.

With two pitchers in the lineup by the eighth inning, New Jersey failed to mount a comeback as Jorge Vasquez knocks down his Can-Am-high 21st stolen base of the season. He struck out two in a perfect ninth.

Newark's win cracks New Jersey's four-game winning streak and drops the Jackals to 56-39. The Bears improve to 33-62, but are 13-12 in August.

The two clubs will have the day off tomorrow before finishing the series Thursday and Friday. Isaac Pavlik (11-2, 3.32) will throw for New Jersey in the middle game. Newark's manager Chuck Stewart has not announced a Thursday starter. First pitch is 7:05. The pregame begins 10 minutes prior.

Oh...the Jackals have already clinched a spot in the playoffs and cannot move either way in the standings. This game means nothing.

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. 2012 single-game tickets, season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at Jackals.com. You can follow us on Twitter @JackalsBaseball.

Notes

Carlos Guzman's first inning single gave the Jackals 957 hits, eclipsing the previous Jackals record of 956 by the 2005 Jackals... Sabatella's stolen base in the fifth was his 41st of the season, giving him the all-time, single-season Jackals record. Zach Smithlin stole 40 bases for New Jersey in 2005...

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Canadian American League Stories from August 28, 2012


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