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Jacks Comeback Falls One Run Short against Texas

June 29, 2015 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Everything seemed to go the Pump Jacks' way, except the final score.

The East Texas Pump Jacks fell 8-7 to the Texas Marshals on Sunday night, splitting the series and losing a step on the Acadiana Cane Cutters for the second first-half playoff spot.

After the Pump Jacks took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the Marshals put up eight unanswered runs with rallies in the second, fifth, and sixth innings. The Jacks cut the lead to two runs after plating three in the sixth, and despite a leadoff home run by Nick Roark in the ninth, East Texas was unable to complete the comeback.

After Pump Jacks starter Tanner Cable put Texas down in order to start the game, the Pump Jacks sent seven batters to the plate in the bottom of the first as part of a three-run rally. Leadoff hitter James Lear singled up the middle to start things off, and stole his way to third base with one out. T.J. Friedl drew a walk, and designated hitter Niko Buentello launched a two-RBI double to right-centerfield.

One out later, Alex Bell shot a single to center that brought in Buentello for a 3-0 lead. Roark followed with a single to put runners on the corners, but the Jacks settled for three after Marshals' starter Connor Camacho got the strikeout to end the inning.

Texas wasted no time with its rebuttal, answering with a four-spot in the top of the second. The Marshals sparked the rally with a pair of singles, and after Cable struck out Jerame Littell for the first out, he forced Matthew Lillard into a soft comebacker. With an opportunity to turn two and escape the inning, Cable's throw to second took a skid in the dirt and Anthony Donovan was unable to make the scoop.

The bases were loaded on the error, and a fielder's choice brought the first run home. The second run raced home when two consecutive pitches to David Fry escaped the grasp of catcher Chad McKinney, and Fry knocked in the third with a two-out single.

Cable issued free passes to the next two batters to reload the bases, and on a 1-2 pitch Cable plunked Parker Jones to push the fourth run home.

Both teams went scoreless through the third and the fourth, but the Marshals extended their lead when they tallied two in the fifth.

Cable surrendered an RBI single to his last batter of the ballgame, and Enrique Perez entered from the bullpen with two outs and runners on first and third. Lillard blooped an RBI single down the line in right field, and Dilon Argo made a quick throw to Donovan to get Lillard as he tried to stretch the single into a double.

Texas made it 8-3 with two more runs in the top of the sixth on Parker Jones' two-RBI double. Mike Crimi relieved Perez and struck out the two batters he faced to end the inning.

The Pump Jacks answered with three runs in the home half of the frame to cut the six-run deficit in half.

Argo singled and Friedl walked to start the inning, and after the next two Jacks went down on strikes, Bell chopped a ground ball to the shortstop. What could've been out number three scooted under the glove of David Fry, scoring one run and sparking a rally.

A wild pitch with Roark at the plate scored Friedl, and Roark's single up the middle plated Bell despite a strong throw to the plate.

After the Jacks cut the deficit to 8-6, Crimi came back out on the mound and struck out the side. His sixth consecutive strikeout came in the top of the eighth when Crimi put the leadoff hitter away on strikes. He plunked Kwan Adkins with his next pitch, but he induced a double-play ball two pitches later to end the inning.

The Jacks went down in order in the bottom half of the eighth, but Crimi continued to keep the Marshals at bay in the ninth.

The table was set for a potential dramatic walk-off win, and as if on cue Roark launched a solo home run to right field to start the inning. It was Roark's first homer of the year, and the first ever by a Pump Jack at Irwin UT Tyler Ballpark.

However, East Texas was unable to build a rally after the home run closed the gap to one, and closer Danny Garrett set the next three Jacks down in order.

Roark finished his prolific night 5-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. Argo also enjoyed a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Friedl reached base three times with a single and two walks, and he and Lear each stole two bases.

The first half concludes with a Tuesday and Wednesday series against Acadiana at Irwin UT Tyler Ballpark, with a postseason berth still on the line. The Pump Jacks can squeeze into the second playoff spot with a strong series against the Cane Cutters, or at least begin their march to the postseason with a strong second half.

As always, game time in Tyler is 7:05, and gates will open at 6:00 p.m. Fans can also tune in to our live Ustream broadcast or follow the game with live scoring updates on our Pointstreak feed.

To follow all the news during the Jacks' inaugural season in Tyler, visit the Pump Jacks official web site atwww.pumpjacksbaseball.com. Join the conversation with other members of Pump Jacks Nation by visiting the Pump Jacks on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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