Jackals Make Quick Work of Brockton in 4-2 Win
Published on July 16, 2010 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release
Little Falls, NJ - On a warm and muggy Friday evening at Yogi Berra Stadium, the New Jersey Jackals defeated the Brockton Rox 4-2 in a contest that took just two hours and 11 minutes to complete.
In their quickest game of the season, the Jackals turned three double plays and left just five runners on base as they evened up the season series with second-place Brockton at five games apiece.
After a third-inning RBI single by second baseman Scott Wearne gave the Rox an early 1-0 lead, New Jersey countered in the bottom of the fourth when newly-signed second baseman Travis Jones laced a two-out RBI double to tie the game before scoring on base hit by the next batter, shortstop Mike DeJesus, as the Jackals gained a 2-1 advantage.
The Rox pulled even at 2-2 in the top of the seventh when center fielder Chris Valencia led off with a double and scored on Wearne's second RBI base hit of the night, but New Jersey manufactured a run in the bottom of the frame to take the lead for good. DeJesus began the inning with a double, catcher Jovan Rosa advanced him to third with a sacrifice bunt, and left fielder Jeff Grose beat out a squeeze bunt to break the deadlock and give New Jersey a 3-2 lead. The Jackals tacked on an unearned insurance run against Rox reliever Colin Lynch in the eighth to cap the scoring at 4-2.
Jackals starter Ryan Lobban pitched well, but did not factor in the decision after allowing two runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. Reliever Edward Rodriguez (3-3), who earned the win, entered for Lobban with two runners aboard in the seventh and retired both batters he faced to help New Jersey escape the jam. Edgar Estanga contributed a perfect eighth inning to set up closer Romas Hicks, who allowed a leadoff single to Valencia in the ninth before inducing a game-ending double play to notch his 11th save of the season.
Brockton starter Mike Wlodarczyk (6-2) fell short in his bid to become the first Can-Am League pitcher with six wins, allowing three runs on seven hits over seven innings. Wlodarczyk fanned five batters to increase his league-leading strikeout total to 66.
On his 27th birthday, DeJesus was involved in all three New Jersey double plays while going 2-for-4 at the plate. Designated hitter Abraham Nunez drew a walk and singled twice in a 2-for-3 night, his third consecutive multi-hit contest. In his Jackals' debut, Jones drove in a pair of runs.
The Jackals (18-27) and Rox (27-19) will conclude the first half of the Can-Am League schedule with the rubber match of their three-game series on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends left-hander Isaac Pavlik (3-3, 5.15) to the mound for his sixth start of the season against Brockton righty Freddy Flores (5-1, 3.38) at Yogi Berra Stadium. Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.
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. 2010 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.
Jackal Bites: Jacob Butler, who was penciled in the original lineup in left field, missed the game with a meniscus injury... Jeff Grose, whose RBI bunt single plated the game-winning run in the seventh inning, replaced the injured Butler in the starting lineup... Abraham Nunez stole his 10th base of the season to set up the Jackals' final run in the eighth inning, giving him double-digit steals for the first time since he swiped 20 bases for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds in 2000... The Jackals three double plays bring their league-leading total to 45 in 45 games this season... Mike Scanzano's third-inning single was his first hit in three games since temporarily re-signing with the Jackals on Tuesday... Ryan Lobban turned in his fourth quality start in nine outings, tying him with teammate A.J. Wideman for the most by a Jackals starter this season... The New Jersey bullpen has allowed just one run in 7 2/3 innings over the first two games of the series with Brockton.
Canadian American League Stories from July 16, 2010
- Can-Am League Recap - Can-Am
- Rox Fall To Jackals, 4-2, On Friday Night - Brockton Rox
- Skyhawks Tame Tornadoes - Sussex Skyhawks
- Jackals Make Quick Work of Brockton in 4-2 Win - New Jersey Jackals
- Rox Announce Upcoming Events - Brockton Rox
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