'Hammers Season Ends on 12th Inning Walk off Homer

September 13, 2010 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release


KANSAS CITY, KS - Gabriel Martinez drove in five runs and sent the Kansas City T-Bones (3-2) to the Championship Series with a three run walk-off home run in the 12th inning of game five Sunday night in an 8-5 victory over the Joliet JackHammers (2-3) at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Joliet picked up the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th, getting a leadoff bunt single by Josh Flores. Jonathan Wyatt laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Flores up to second. Brad Correll stepped in and lined a double off the glove of Brian Joynt at third base, giving the 'Hammers a 5-4 cushion.

The T-Bones started the bottom of the 12th in what looked like a fly out to right field, but Luis Nieblas was awarded first base on catcher's inference. Griffin Bailey (0-1) struck out Joynt and Keanon Simon singled to put two runners on. William Jackel came in for Bailey and Jake Blackwood singled into right center to tie the game. Martinez then lifted a deep fly ball over the wall in center for a three run homer, putting the T-Bones into the Championship Series with an 8-5 win.

Bailey takes the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 2.2 innings out of the bullpen.

The JackHammers were in position to make a winner out of Bear Bay, who surrendered only a run in seven frames pitching on three days rest. Joliet took a 4-3 lead into the ninth with Erik Hamren on the mound. Dwayne White doubled into left with one out and Todd Privett came in and retired Rico Washington for the second out. Bailey was brought in and walked Nieblas on four pitches to put runners at first and second. Joynt hit a groundball to first that Freddie Thon dove and attempted to flip to Bailey, but the ball deflected down the right field line allowing White to score the tying run from second. Bailey recovered and struck out Simon with Nieblas at first base to send the game into extra innings.

Joliet finally got to Andrew Cruse after the T-Bone ace went the distance in game one without allowing a run. The JackHammers scored four times over the middle frames against Cruse as Thon doubled in the fourth to put Joliet up 1-0.

Wyatt doubled home two in the fifth after Roberto Mena doubled and Josh Flores singled with one out. Three consecutive singles in the sixth plated the fourth run off Cruse. Thon and Richard Mercado both singled with Kevin Rios knocking in the fourth run with a single of his own for a 4-1 lead.

Bay exited after seven innings and Wes Alsup came on in the eighth, hitting Jimmy Mojica with the first pitch. Simon slapped an infield single to short, but Alsup struck out Blackwood for the first out. Martinez lined a long single off the wall in right, scoring two to pull Kansas City to within 4-3.

Cruse went six innings in the no decision, surrendering four runs on ten hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

Bay allowed only one run on six hits in seven innings, striking out three.

Matt Perisho picked up the win, working three innings out of the bullpen. The lefty allowed one run on two hits with three strikeouts.

Five different JackHammers had at least two hits (Flores, Wyatt, Correll, Thon and Mena) with Wyatt driving in two on a double.

The JackHammers wrapped up the season with an overall record of 55-50 including the playoffs, the most wins in franchise history.

Loose Gravel - The JackHammers were a strike away from advancing to the Championship Series before Brian Joynt hit the bouncing ball to first - Joliet's two playoff victories were the first two in franchise history - The 12 innings equaled the longest game of the season



Northern League Stories from September 13, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central