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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals "Cruz" to Victory, Sweep Ottawa

August 8, 2018 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


The New Jersey Jackals took full advantage of a phenomenal start from right hander Fernando Cruz to defeat the Ottawa Champions 8-3, to complete the sweep of the doubleheader, as well as the three game series on Wednesday evening at Yogi Berra Stadium.

Cruz, who previously had stints with the club in 2016 and 2017, re-signed with the Jackals earlier in the week, and made his first appearance of the season on Wednesday, and provided the keynote in a one-sided affair. He would face off against Ottawa's left-handed specialist, Evan Rutckyj.

The Jackals cracked the score column early on, plating a pair of runs in the 2nd inning. Taylor Oldham was the offensive catalyst for the Jackals' 2nd inning attack, getting the inning started with a leadoff single. He stole second base, and advanced to third on a Seth Spivey single. Later in the inning, Oldham scored on a wild pitch to Carlos Triunfel with the bases loaded to open the scoring. Kevin Torres then followed with a run-scoring groundout, plating Spivey to make it 2-0 in favor of New Jersey.

The Champions answered right back in the 3rd, starting with Brian Portelli cranking a monstrous homerun over the video board in left center field to lead off the inning, making it 2-1. Later in the inning, consecutive RBI singles from Sebastien Boucher and Steve Brown gave Ottawa a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the 3rd, David Harris tied the game with an RBI single of his own, driving home Jordan Hinshaw who was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, a sacrifice fly from Taylor Oldham gave the Jackals the lead once again, 4-3.

New Jersey padded their lead in the bottom of the 5th, when singles from Jordan Hinshaw and David Harris set the table for Oldham (1 for 1, 2 RBIs, 1 run scored) once again, who delivered a sacrifice fly to plate Hinshaw. The Jackals would also add an unearned run after an error by third baseman Jordan Caillouet enabled Harris to score to make it 6-3, and ending starter Evan Rutckyj's evening.

Then in the 6th, Carlos Triunfel was hit by a pitch to start the inning. He would advance to third on a Kevin Torres single, and later score on a wild pitch from Champions reliever Andrew Cooper to add another run.

The Jackals would put the nail in the proverbial coffin of the Champions in the home 8th, when Kevin Torres (3 for 4, RBI) smacked a leadoff double, and scored later in the inning on a throwing error by second baseman Ozney Guillen.

Fernando Cruz would record one out in the 9th inning, before manager Brooks Carey turned to reliever Pete Perez to apply the finishing touches. He ultimately would earn the win, with a line of eight innings, surrendering seven hits and 3 earned runs, while striking out eight. Champions starter Evan Rutckyj suffered the loss, falling to 2-5 on the season, as he lasted only five innings and allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits.

The Jackals will ride much needed momentum into the start of a crucial five game series with the 4th place Trois-Rivieres Aigles, starting on Thursday at Yogi Berra Stadium. Thursday's slate will feature yet another doubleheader, with Game 1 set for a 5:05 first pitch. New Jersey is currently two games behind Trois-Rivieres in the Can-Am League standings.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 8, 2018


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