JackHammers fall in series opener to Sioux City
Published on June 27, 2005 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
Joliet, IL-The Explorers held off the JackHammers to take first game of the series at Silver Cross Field Monday night. Sioux City won the game 5-4 after being down 2-0 after the first three innings.
Sioux City's closer Sean Kramer would allow the potential tying and winning runs to reach with walks to put two on with only one out in the ninth. Kramer responded nicely however and got a shallow pop up to center and a strikeout to send the crowd of 3,145 home disappointed.
The Explorers took the lead for good in the seventh inning after scoring two runs in that inning to give Sioux City a 4-2 lead. The two runs in that inning were both scored on solo home runs. The two home runs came back-to-back by Matt Howe and Chris Grossman. The home run by Howe was his second of the game; he also homered in the fifth inning. The difference making run proved to be a home run by Ryan Gripp in the eighth inning that gave Sioux City a 5-3 lead.
The first run of the game was scored by the JackHammers. Kyle Logan hit his seventh home run of the season in the second inning that gave Joliet a 1-0 lead. The second run for the âHammers came on a single by Jayson Drobiak that scored Jermaine Allensworth
Joliet picked up their third run in the seventh inning on an error by Explorers second baseman Justin Turner. That run got the JackHammers within one run at 4-3. Joliet got within one run again at 5-4 in the eighth inning when Josh Loggins singled home Drobiak. However, that would be as close as the âHammers would get in the game.
Damien Myers started the game for the JackHammers and pitched six and two thirds innings giving up four runs and striking out four batters. It was Myers' longest outing of the season. J.C. Huguet picked up the win for the Explorers going six innings and giving up two earned runs. Kramer picked up his league leading ninth save of the season by pitching the ninth inning for Sioux City.
Joliet was led by Drobiak, Logan and Loggins who each had two hits and one RBI. Sioux City was lead offensively by Howe who went deep twice. Also, Ryan Ruiz went 3-5 and Grossman had a two hit night for the Explorers.
Loose gravel: Tomorrow's starters will be Nathan Kent (2-3, 3.59 ERA) for the JackHammers and Barry Mabry (0-3 8.42) for the Explorers. Start time is 6:05 p.m. tomorrow like all Tuesday home games.
Sioux City manager Steve Shirley was ejected from the game in the eighth inning due to arguing a balk call by first base umpire Scott Wadas.
With the strikeout of Justin Turner, everyone in attendance at Silver Cross Field received a free game of bowling thanks to the Will County Bowling Proprietors.
Northern League Stories from June 27, 2005
- JackHammers fall in series opener to Sioux City - Joliet JackHammers
- Saltdogs beat RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Northern League changes decision on T-Bones promotion - NL
- Saltdogs add two players - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Goldeyes gear up for Canada Day with signing of Brnardic - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- B2 Networks add Winnipeg Goldeyes - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Vitale commits to Northeastern University - Sioux Falls Canaries
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