Sports stats



Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals Shut Down by Zuercher in 4-1 Loss

August 8, 2010 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Worcester, Mass. - Southpaw Zach Zuercher stifled the New Jersey Jackals through six innings as the Jackals fell to the Worcester Tornadoes 4-1 on Sunday afternoon in the rubber game of the three-game series at Hanover Insurance Park.

Zuercher (2-2), who went winless through his first six starts of the season, earned his second straight victory while turning in his third consecutive quality start. The 26-year-old left-hander allowed one unearned run on just three hits in six frames. Zuercher walked one batter while fanning five. He allowed just three singles to Jeff Grose, Dan Betteridge, and Carlos Sosa.

Worcester jumped out to an early lead against Jackals starter Jayson Miller (1-2), who took the loss. Miller surrendered four consecutive hits to start the bottom of the third inning with third baseman Omar Pena and first baseman Chris Colabello singling home runs to put Worcester up 2-0 before designated hitter Nick Salotti lifted a sacrifice fly to right field for the inning's first out to make it 3-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, catcher Alex Trezza crushed his sixth home run of the season to right center into the Holy Cross football stadium with the bases empty to help extend the Tornadoes advantage to 4-0.

The Jackals plated their only run in the top of the sixth inning with the assistance of three Tornadoes errors. Center fielder Adam Godwin led off with a walk. Later in the inning, Zuercher picked Godwin off first but shortstop Mark Minicozzi dropped the return throw from Colabello to allow Godwin to advance to second safely. Godwin later scored on sacrifice fly off the bat of first baseman Jabe Bergeron.

In the top of the ninth, New Jersey used a trio of pinch hitters to bring the tying run up to bat against Rick Asadoorian, but the Worcester closer got center fielder Adam Godwin to line out to first base with runners on the corners to notch his fourth save of the season and his second in as many days. Angel Flores had drawn a two-out walk while pinch hitting for catcher Dean Forthun before Kevin Clark rifled a single to right after taking Grose's spot.

In his fifth start for the Jackals, Miller allowed four runs on seven hits with one walk and two strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. New Jersey's bullpen pitched well, with Mike Pontius and Edward Rodriguez combining to hold Worcester off the scoreboard over the final 2 1/3. Rodriguez stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth after allowing a pair of singles and intentionally walking Trezza.

Worcester right-hander John Sluzarz added two scoreless innings of relief while stranding three runners on base to bridge the gap between Zuercher and Asadoorian.

The Jackals (9-11 second half, 28-30 overall) return to Yogi Berra Stadium to begin a seven-game homestand with the first contest of a three-game set against the Quebec Capitales on Monday at 7:05 p.m. In the series opener, New Jersey will send southpaw Isaac Pavlik to the mound. 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:* Zach Zuercher and Jayson Miller combined to retired the game's first 10 batters without the ball leaving the infield... Abraham Nunez drew his league-leading 52nd walk of the season in the top of the eighth inning, extending his on-base streak to 24 consecutive games... The Jackals are 4-8 against the Tornadoes this season.

Check out the New Jersey Jackals Statistics



Canadian American League Stories from August 8, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central