Grand Slam Lifts Joliet
Published on July 30, 2002 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL â The Joliet JackHammers (10-7, 32-30) defeated the Sioux City Explorers (4-12, 32-28) 8-to-4 on Tuesday night at Silver Cross Field. The JackHammers are 1-and-1 versus the Explorers in this series and 3-and-6 versus them on the season series. The JackHammers are also 3-and-2 through five games of this 10-game home stand. They also maintained their standing in first place.
Andy Wilson (2-for-4) walked to lead off the top of the 3rd inning. RHP Rickey Lewis, Jr. attempted a pick-off move at first base, but threw the ball away. Wilson advanced from first base to third base on the error. A batter later, Michael Byas (1-for-3) hit a fly ball to left field for a sacrifice to score Wilson for a 1-to-0 Explorers lead.
The Explorers extended their lead to 3-to-0 in the top of the 5th inning. Byas led off with a walk and Cris Colon (2-for-4) doubled. Tony Mitchell (2-for-4) drilled a 2-RBI single over the center fielder's head, but he was thrown out a second base trying for a double. Mitchell owns 38 RBI this season.
The JackHammers ended the Explorers shutout bid in the bottom of the 5th inning. With two outs and runners on second and third bases, Brian Sprout's (2-for-5) grounder was mishandled by third baseman Cris Colon scoring Rob Fischer (1-for-3). The JackHammers trailed 3-to-1. The JackHammers scored another run in the bottom of the 7th inning on a double play to cut the deficit to 3-to-2.
Curt Lee (0-for-3) added a run to the Explorers score with a ground out RBI in the top of the 7th inning. The JackHammers responded sending 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the 7th inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Tony Chance (1-for-5) hit a line drive grand slam to left field giving the JackHammers a 6-to-4 lead. The grand slam was the second of the season for a JackHammers player. It was Chance's Peter DeYoung (2-for-4) added a RBI single later in the inning for a 7-to-4 lead.
Sprout added a RBI triple in the bottom of the 8th inning for an 8-to-4 lead. It was Sprout's 2nd triple of the season and 20th RBI. LHP Denny McDaniel (4-3) pitched the final two innings and allowed the JackHammers final five runs (all earned), eight hits, one hit batter, no walks and two strikeouts for the loss.
RHP Greg Watson (2-0) earned the win in relief pitching 0.2 innings (4 batters faced).
The JackHammers and Explorers complete their three-game series on Wednesday night at Silver Cross Field. RHP Rich Hyde (6-6, 2.96) will start for the JackHammers, and LHP Toby McDermott (0-2, 5.40) will start for the Explorers. Wednesday night is Firefighters Salute. Firefighters from throughout Will County will be at the game. The first 1,000 children age 12 and under through the gates will receive coloring books and fireman hats courtesy of the Joliet Fire Department. The JFD will also have a smoke house outside the stadium before the game to teach kids the importance of fire safety. Freddy the Firetruck will be at the game, too. For tickets, please call 815-726-BALL(2255), order on-line at www.jackhammerbaseball.com or stop at the Silver Cross Field ticket office (opens at 9 AM).
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