JackHammers double up T-Bones

Published on May 24, 2005 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release


Joliet, IL—The last two nights of baseball have looked strikingly similar. The match up features two teams that are both atop the league in team pitching and are both at the bottom of the league in team hitting. That trend continued on Cub Foods Family Fun Night on Tuesday at Silver Cross Field in Joliet. With both teams at their #5 spot in their rotations, you would not expect to see the quality pitch game that once again proved to be the rule, instead of the exception.

Each team's arms continued to shine in this series as in the end it would come down to a few untimely errors by the visiting T-Bones and some capitalizing swings by Joliet that would even up this series at a game apiece, after Tuesday night's 4-2 win. Key RBI hits by Jayson Drobiak, Matt McCay and Dan Underwood would all give the JackHammers some needed offense, in a series that has been dominated by pitching. The loss is the first in four games for Kansas City.

Brian Bulger made his first start of 2005 on Tuesday, and was marvelous as he would register six solid innings, allowing just two runs and striking out eight. Bulger would throw shutout baseball the first five innings before allowing two runs on four T-Bone singles and would leave after 6, clinging to a one run lead. Brian (1-0) would eventually get the win, his first of the season.

Also making his first start of the young season was flame thrower Caleb Balbuena who routinely lit up the radar gun at 94 MPH and battled through five innings of work, leaving after allowing three runs, but just two earned and striking out five. Balbuena would get in trouble when falling behind in the count, and as a result allowed a couple runs in the first two innings. Balbuena (0-1) would leave after five, trailing it 3-2 and eventually be hit with his first loss of the season.

For the JackHammers, it was a good night in the bullpen as well as Amad Stephen's made just his 2nd appearance of 2005, but made it a worthwhile stint as he'd pitch two dominant innings and register his 2nd save of the season. Also having a great night out of the pen was Matt Petrusek who worked just an inning, but struck out three batters in that 7th inning to bridge the game to Stephen's spot.

Enjoying multi-hit evenings were Kyle Logan who is now riding a five game hitting streak as he went 2-4 with 2 runs scored. Drobiak and McCay also chipped in with a pair of hits apiece as those three batters would make up 75% of the offense on Tuesday. Leading the T-Bones in a losing effort was Brandon Jones, the third baseman who was 2-4 with a pair of RBI.

The season series is now tied at a game apiece while the all-time series stands in favor of the JackHammers 15-9. It should be another great game on the mound tomorrow for both teams as they will be back to their number one spot in the rotation with Jonathan Krysa on the hill for the T-Bones and Jason Shelley getting the nod for the ‘Hammers. Each pitcher has an ERA below 1.70.

It is Women's Wednesday tomorrow night at the ballpark, all women (and all men in women's clothing) will receive $2 off their admission to the third game of this four game series.

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Northern League Stories from May 24, 2005


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