Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals Five-Run Eighth Inning Rocks Brockton

June 21, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Brockton, MA - After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, the New Jersey Jackals plated five runs in the top of the eighth inning off reliever Jamie Baker to defeat the Brockton Rox by a score of 5-3 on Saturday night at Campanelli Stadium.

With New Jersey trailing 2-0, Jackals right fielder Andrew Larsen began the eighth inning with a double off the left field wall. Two batters later, second baseman Marcus Sanders singled Larsen home to cut the Brockton lead to 2-1. After a bunt single by center fielder Zack Smithlin put runners on first and second, an RBI single by designated hitter Luke Allen tied the game at two. Chris Kelly then grounded out to plate Smithlin and give the Jackals a 3-2 lead before a two-run home run by first baseman Juan Tejeda extended New Jersey's lead to 5-2.

In the bottom of the ninth, closer Rusty Tucker entered and allowed a bloop lead-off double to Rox second baseman Melvin Falu. The next batter, third baseman Philip Cuadrado, reached when his hard grounder snuck through the legs of Jackals third baseman Chris Kelly. With runners on first and third, designated hitter Josh Vander Hey plated Falu on an infield single to cut the Jackals lead to 5-3. Following a sacrifice bunt by Eugene Julien that put runners on second and third with one out, Tucker struck out catcher Lee Rubin and induced center fielder Ervin Alcantara to ground out to third to end the game.

Baker (1-3), who started the eighth after Rox starter John Kelly exited after pitching seven innings of three-hit shutout baseball, surrendered five runs on five hits in 2/3 of an inning. Jackals starter Isaac Pavlik (3-2) settled down after a shaky first inning and pitched seven solid innings to earn the win. Tucker picked up his league-leading seventh save of the season.

The Jackals and Rox finish their three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 p.m. when New Jersey's Aaron Tressler takes the hill against Brockton's Rolando Viera. Catch every pitch via live webcast at www.jackals.com with coverage beginning five minutes prior to the start of the game.

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Canadian American League Stories from June 21, 2008


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