Jackals Drop Series Finale To Quebec In Heartbreaking Fashion
Published on August 9, 2009 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release
Little Falls, NJ - The old adage states that all good things must come to an end and that perhaps best sums up what took place at Yogi Berra Stadium on Sunday afternoon between the New Jersey Jackals and Quebec Capitales. New Jersey carried a 2-1 lead into the top of the ninth inning with closer Rusty Tucker on the mound looking for his Can-Am League-best 20th save of the season. The veteran left-hander will have to wait for another day as Tucker blew his first save attempt at home this year, allowing Quebec to escape with a 3-2 win.
After retiring the first two batters in quick fashion to start the inning, Tucker (2-1) got two strikes on catcher Patrick D'Aoust. The next pitch, a breaking ball in the dirt, got D'Aoust swinging for the third strike, but the ball shot between catcher Matt Lauderdale's legs to the backstop, allowing the batter to end up at first. D'Aoust was quickly lifted for pinch runner Douglas Toro and moments later, right fielder Sebastian Boucher grounded a 2-2 pitch up the middle into shallow center field put runners at the corners. Tucker got a quick strike on center fielder Goefrey Tomlinson, before the Quebec leadoff hitter lifted an RBI-single to shallow center, allowing Toro to score from third and tie the game at 2-2. Boucher advanced to third on the single and would score just a few pitches later, as with second baseman Josh Colafemina at the plate, Tucker fired a high fastball over the head of Lauderdale that reached the backstop and allowed Boucher to score the go-ahead run.
In the bottom of the ninth New Jersey faced left-handed reliever Mike Joyce who had pitched a scoreless eighth inning and quickly retired the first two batters he faced in the ninth. After walking first baseman Myron Leslie with two down though, Joyce (1-0) was lifted for closer Jason Schutt. The hard throwing right-hander got Lauderdale to line out to shortstop Ivan Naccarata to finish the game and hand New Jersey the gut wrenching loss.
For the third straight day, the game was moving along at a quick pace in the early innings, with both starters - Isaac Pavlik for New Jersey and Dan Sausville for Quebec - pitching well. Pavlik, coming off a complete game loss on the road at Worcester, took the no-decision after allowing just one run on six hits in seven innings on the mound. Sausville was equally as effective for the Capitales, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning that was broken up by a leadoff solo home run by Jackals right fielder Quentin Davis. For Davis, it was his first home run of the season and just the 15th of his six-year career. Sausville would eventually be lifted in the seventh after allowing the first three batters he faced to reach, loading the bases for Lauderdale who would bring in a run on sac-fly against right-handed reliever Brett Palanski. The final line on Sausville - who also earned a no-decision - was two earned runs on two hits in six-plus frames; he issued one walk and struck out five batters.
New Jersey will welcome the American Defenders of New Hampshire to Little Falls tomorrow night to start a four-game series that will run until Thursday. The Jackals will send left-hander Sean Thompson to the mound for his second start while New Hampshire has yet to announce a starter for the game. 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.
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. The Jackals have clinched the 2009 Can-Am League first-half title and an automatic berth in the playoffs, which begin on September 9. Playoff and regular season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.
Canadian American League Stories from August 9, 2009
- Can-Am Recap - Can-Am
- Worcester Doubles Up Rox - Brockton Rox
- Worcester Rolls Rox - Worcester Tornadoes
- Jackals Drop Series Finale To Quebec In Heartbreaking Fashion - New Jersey Jackals
- Chavez, Tavarez Help New Hampshire Sink Sussex - Sussex Skyhawks
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