Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Granitto Earns First Win with New Jersey as Jackals Split Series with Rox

Published on August 6, 2009 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Brockton, MA - Behind left-hander Giuseppe Granitto - who turned in one of his best starts of the season - the New Jersey Jackals edged out the Brockton Rox 6-4 at Campanelli Stadium on Thursday night. New Jersey struck early, plating a run in the top of the first. After second baseman Marcus Sanders grounded out to start the game, left fielder Ryan Rogowski singled to left and shortstop Mike DeJesus walked to put runners at first and second with one out. After first baseman Myron Leslie flied out to left, catcher Matt Lauderdale deposited an RBI-single that scored Rogowski from second to give the Jackals a 1-0 lead.

The Jackals would keep the pressure on, scoring two more in the third inning. DeJesus would reach base for the second time with a one-out single before Leslie grounded into a fielder's choice that resulted in DeJesus being forced out at second. Lauderdale then laced his second single of the evening to put two on with two out. The very next batter, designated hitter Quinn Stewart - who was 1-for-14 with seven strikeouts in the series to that point - blasted a triple down the right field line that scored both runners and made it a 3-0 ballgame.

With Granitto pitching well in his seventh start of the season, New Jersey would continue to provide run support for the rookie out of Pace University. The Jackals would score runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to set their final total at six runs. In the fourth after back-to-back singles by center fielder Zack Smithlin and Sanders put runners at the corners, Rogowski grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed Smithlin to score from third. In the fifth, after Stewart was hit by a pitch with two outs, right fielder Billy Kovatch ripped a ball to left that was misplayed by Brockton left fielder Palmer Karr. When all was said and done, Stewart came all the way around from first to score and on a throw home Kovatch wound up at third. Finally, in the sixth, after Sanders singled and advanced to second on a groundout by Rogowski, DeJesus brought him home with an RBI-single.

Brockton wouldn't go quietly despite the five run deficit through six innings. With right-hander Kevin Gunter on in relief for the Jackals in the bottom of the seventh, the Rox got a run after a walk was issued to third baseman Phil Cuadrado and a subsequent RBI-double was blasted by catcher Chris Grossman. Thinks got even more tense in the bottom of the ninth with right-hander Seth Overbey on looking to close out the contest for the Jackals. After hitting second baseman Melvin Falu with his first pitch, Cuadrado lifted a deep fly ball to left field. Rogowski tracked it to the wall, leaped to make a play and had the ball bounce off his glove and over the wall for a two-run home run, the sixth of the season and second of the series for Cuadrado. That made it a 6-4 ballgame and after a single by Grossman and a fielder's choice by shortstop Dominic Ramos, New Jersey manager Joe Calfapietra went to the bullpen and brought in Jackals closer Rusty Tucker.

With center fielder Chris Valencia at the plate fired two quick strikes to make the count 0-and-2. On the second strike, Lauderdale fired a snap throw down to first to pick off Ramos for the second out. Tucker placed a breaking ball on the next pitch to get Valencia looking and end the game.

Granitto (1-3) earned his first win of the season while Brockton starter Jeff Long (3-4) took the loss, allowing five earned runs in his six innings of work. Tucker earned his Can-Am League-best 19th save of the season in the process. For the Jackals, Stewart led the way with two RBIs and Lauderdale had his third multi-hit game of the series, lining a pair of singles and driving in a run.

New Jersey will head home and begin a seven-game home stand tomorrow night when they welcome the Quebec Capitales for a three-game series. The Jackals will send left-hander A.J. Wideman to the mound while the Capitales have yet to name a starter. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game at www.jackals.com. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. with the pre game show starting 10 minutes prior.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 6, 2009


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