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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals downed by late homerun

August 19, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Worcester, MA - The New Jersey Jackals battled valiantly despite not picking up their first hit until the fifth inning, but the Worcester Tornadoes used a late home run by RF Scott Grimes to earn a 5-4 come-from-behind victory on Tuesday night at Hanover Insurance Park. The Jackals' loss combined with a Sussex win against Quebec on Tuesday places the Jackals six games out of a playoff spot with 13 games remaining in the regular season.

Kyle Jackson made his Worcester debut and hurled four hitless innings before the Tornadoes took advantage of two New Jersey errors in the bottom of the fourth to take an early lead. CF BJ Weed began the inning by reaching on a Bryant Nelson error, but was thrown out by Jackals LF Andrew Larsen trying to advance to third on a single by the next batter, 1B Chris Colabello. After C Alex Trezza grounded out for the second out of the frame, LF Francisco Caraballo reached on Nelson's second error of the inning as Colabello scored to give Worcester a 1-0 advantage. Later in the inning, an Omar Pena RBI single gave Worcester a 2-0 advantage. Both fourth inning runs were unearned against Jackals' starter Tom Atlee.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Jackals returned the favor as they capitalized on a Worcester error to even the score. DH Luke Allen led off and reached on a Pena error at second base. C Matt Lauderdale followed with a walk to put runners on first and second for 3B Chris Kelly, who singled home Allen to pull the Jackals within one at 2-1. The Jackals tied the game at 2-2 a batter later on an RBI infield single off the bat of RF Billy Kovatch. In the top of the sixth, Lauderdale launched his ninth home run of the season to left field with Allen aboard to give the Jackals their first lead of the contest at 4-2.

The Tornadoes wasted no time retaliating as a two-run home run by LF Francisco Caraballo in the bottom of the sixth inning against reliever Brandon Martin once again evened the score at 4-4. The deciding blast by Grimes, his 17th home run of the season, came with one out and the bases empty in the bottom of the seventh inning against reliever Michael Vicaro (6-5), who took the loss in his only inning of work. Tornadoes closer John Birtwell ran into trouble in the top of the ninth when Kelly doubled off the wall in left field to begin the inning, but Birtwell settled down to retire the next three batters he faced to notch his 12th save of the season. For the Tornadoes, reliever Eddie Pena (5-3) tossed 1 2/3 hitless innings to pick up the victory. Jackson started and lasted 6 2/3 innings as the right-hander allowed three earned runs on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. For the Jackals, Atlee was taken out of the game with two outs in the fourth inning after allowing two runs - zero earned - while striking out three and walking one.

The Jackals and Tornadoes continue their three-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. when New Jersey left-hander Jorge Acosta (1-3, 3.30 ERA) takes the hill against Worcester right-hander Junior Guerrero (6-5, 5.90 ERA). Follow the Jackals on the road by tuning in to the team's live webcast at www.jackals.com to catch every inning of action. Cody Chrusciel provides the play-by-play with the broadcast beginning ten minutes prior to first pitch. The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2008 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

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