JackHammers Hold Off T-Bones 7-6

August 4, 2010 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release


KANSAS CITY, KS - Freddie Thon drove in a game high four runs as the Joliet JackHammers (35-31) held off the Kansas City T-Bones (40-26) 7-6 Tuesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The JackHammers maintained third place and improved to 6-5 this season against the T-Bones.

Kansas City threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning against Griffin Bailey. Jake Blackwood led off with his second home run of the night to cut the lead to 7-6. Ray Sadler singled with one out and stole second with Jim Fasano at the plate, who then grounded out to second to move Sadler up to third. Bailey then hit Brian Joynt to put the game winning run at first with two outs. Ryan Fox, however, would pop out to Roberto Mena with the tying run at third to preserve the 7-6 victory.

The JackHammers took an early 4-0 lead against Ryan Knippschild (7-5). Jonathan Wyatt hit a solo homer in the first and Thon added a two run bomb in the third for the early advantage.

The T-Bones countered with five tallies over the middle frames to erase a 4-0 deficit. Keith Hernandez doubled off the right field wall, which was originally ruled a two run home run. The umpires gathered and gave Hernandez a double and allowed Ryan Fox to score from first base on the play. Blackwood added an RBI single later in the frame to make it 4-2.

Blackwood was back at it in the fifth, launching his first homer of the game against Todd Privett. Fasano would complete the comeback and tie the game at four with a solo blast to center in the sixth. Privett would depart with an injury after the Fasano homer. Kansas City would load the bases against Kyle Dahman and Brian Gartley (4-0), taking a 5-4 lead on a Gartley wild pitch.

The JackHammers would recapture the lead for good in the seventh on a clutch two out single by Thon. Knippschild allowed a two out single to Brad Correll and walked Jon Nelson before being lifted for Casey Hodges. The reliever came on and balked the runners up to second and third and Thon popped a single over the head of Joynt at third to score two and put the ‘Hammers up 6-5.

Privett earned a no decision with four runs allowed in five innings, striking out four. Gartley picks up the win, tossing a third of an inning and walking two (one intentional).

Knippschild dropped to 0-3 this season against Joliet, surrendering six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 6.2 innings. The southpaw struck out three and walked three.

Correll, Nelson and Thon each picked up two hits with Thon driving in four runs.

The JackHammers and T-Bones meet again tomorrow night in Kansas City. Rory Shortell (2-5) will go opposite Andrew Cruse (8-3). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. with a 6:55 p.m. pre-game show on 1340 WJOL.



Northern League Stories from August 4, 2010


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