Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals Rally, But Fall Short Against Tornadoes

Published on August 15, 2010 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - After Jabe Bergeron launched a go-ahead three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth for the Jackals, Chris Colabello's two-run blast in the top of the ninth off closer Romas Hicks carried the Worcester Tornadoes to an 8-6 win over the New Jersey Jackals on a rain-soaked Sunday afternoon at Yogi Berra Stadium. In the loss, New Jersey's Adam Godwin and Carlos Sosa collected four hits while Kevin Clark put together a three-hit outing.

New Jersey starter Chris Vasami struggled early, allowing four runs over the first two innings before setting down and holding the Tornadoes scoreless through the next four frames to allow the Jackals to climb back into the contest.

Trailing 2-0 before they came up to bat, the Jackals manufactured a run in the bottom of the first when Godwin led off with a single before stealing second, moving to third on a ground out, and scoring on a grounder off the bat of Bergeron to make it 2-1. The Tornadoes tacked on a pair of runs in the second on a two-run single by rookie shortstop Boomer Blanchard to take a 4-1 lead.

An RBI single by Godwin in the bottom of the fourth cut the New Jersey deficit to 4-2 before the Jackals took advantage of a Worcester error to plate four unearned runs and take their first lead of the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs and a pair of runners aboard, Tornadoes second baseman Mike Baillargeon booted a grounder off the bat of Mike DeJesus which allowed a run to score to make it 4-3. The next batter, Bergeron, unloaded his 12th home run of the season to the right of the batters eye to give New Jersey a 6-4 advantage. All four runs in the sixth were unearned against Worcester starter Justin Knoff, who did not factor in the decision after allowing six total runs in 5 2/3 innings of work.

>From there though, the Tornadoes bullpen shut the door and the Worcester offense picked up the pace as the Jackals stranded 12 runners on base in the contest. In the top of the eighth, Mike Pontius walked the leadoff man and three batters later, right fielder Billy Catcher singled home a run against Hicks to pull Worcester within one at 6-5. Then in the top of the ninth, Worcester's Ryan Crespi led off with a single before Colabello cracked his 12th homer of the season to help the Tornadoes jump back on top 7-6. Worcester tacked on the game's final run later in the frame.

Worcester's John Slusarz (3-4) earned the win in relief after firing 2 1/3 scoreless innings while Hicks (1-3) suffered the loss. Rick Asadoorian notched his second save in as many days and his sixth of the season after holding New Jersey scoreless in the home half of the ninth.

Vasami surrendered four runs on five hits in six innings in his fourth career start for New Jersey.

The Jackals (12-15 second half, 31-42 overall) enjoy a day off on Monday before traveling to Massachusetts to begin a three-game set against the Brockton Rox on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. at Campanelli Stadium. In the series opener, New Jersey will send southpaw Ryan Lobban to the mound against Brockton right-hander Mike Smith. 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.

Game Notes: Worcester won 11 of 16 meetings between the teams with the regular-season series now complete... Jackals' catcher Dean Forthun left the game after a violent collision at home plate with Worcester's Danny Santiesteban for the final out in the top of the ninth inning... Third baseman Abraham Nunez missed his third straight game with a back injury.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 15, 2010


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