'Hammers Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short in 3-1 Loss
Published on September 9, 2010 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL - The Joliet JackHammers (0-2) put the game winning run on base in the bottom of the ninth, but fell short in a 3-1 loss to the Kansas City T-Bones (2-0) Thursday night at Silver Cross Field. The T-Bones now lead the best of five Opening Round series two games to none with the series shifting to Kansas City.
The JackHammers were held scoreless for the first 17 innings in the series before pushing across a run in the bottom of the ninth. Freddie Thon and Richard Mercado each singled to start the frame against Mike Rocco (1-0), who came out after eight plus innings. Matt Perisho entered and got Chris Colton to pop out to third and struck out Roberto Mena to quiet the rally. Josh Flores stepped in and laced a 2-2 pitch down the left field line to score Thon and put runners at second and third with two away. Jonathan Wyatt was hit by a pitch to load the bases, putting the game winning run at first, but Kevin Rios struck out swinging for the final out.
Rocco was the story for Kansas City, allowing one run on ten hits with six strikeouts against his former club. The T-Bone starters tossed 17 innings in Joliet, surrendering only one run.
Kansas City jumped on the board with two runs in the first against Devin Anderson (0-1). Keanon Simon singled off Anderson's glove and Jake Blackwood doubled off the wall in right to give the T-Bones two runners in scoring position. Gabriel Martinez slapped an infield single up the middle to plate Simon and Ray Sadler hit into a double play to score the second run.
Anderson settled in nicely, retiring the next 12 hitters in a row after the Martinez single. The southpaw lasted 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits with three strikeouts.
The T-Bones made it 3-0 in the seventh, getting a lead off double from Sadler. Dwayne White lined a single with one out into center to score Sadler for the third run against Anderson.
Joliet had opportunities before the ninth, leaving two runners on in the seventh and eighth frames. Thon and Mercado teamed up for back-to-back singles in the seventh with one away, but Rocco got Colton to pop out and struck out Mena.
Wyatt singled in the eighth and moved to second on a Brad Correll two out infield single to bring in Jon Nelson. Rocco threw a wild pitch to put runners at second and third, but struck out Nelson to end the rally.
The 'Hammers bullpen shut down the T-Bones with Wes Alsup striking out three of the four hitters he faced and Griffin Bailey struck out two in a scoreless inning.
Perisho picked up the save, allowing one hit with two strikeouts in the ninth inning.
Correll, Thon, Mercado and Flores each had two hits for Joliet with Flores knocking in the only JackHammer run.
The JackHammers now must win all three games in Kansas City to capture the series. Todd Privett will look for the first win tomorrow night opposite Reid Santos. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. with a 6:55 p.m. pre-game show live online at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.
Loose Gravel
- The JackHammers are now 0-5 all time in the playoffs, including an 0-3 record at Silver Cross Field
- Joliet has stranded 17 runners on base in the first two games while Kansas City has left six runners on base
- JackHammer pitching has combined for 15 strikeouts and zero walks in the series
- Kansas City has scored four runs on ten hits combined in their two victories
Northern League Stories from September 9, 2010
- 'Hammers Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short in 3-1 Loss - Joliet JackHammers
- Kansas City One Win from Championship Series Berth - Kansas City Monarchs
- 'Hawks Take 2-0 Series Lead with Win over Gary - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Comeback Comes up Short Again, RailCats Fall 4-3 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- JackHammers Host Game Two of Playoffs at 6:30 pm - Joliet JackHammers
- RedHawks Open 2010 Playoffs With 5-3 Win Over Gary - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Late Rally Falls Short, Railcats Drop Game One 5-3 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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