FL Joliet Slammers

July 8 Joliet Slammers Game Notes

Published on July 8, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


JOLIET SLAMMERS (24-20) @ NORMAL CORNBELTERS (25-20)

Friday, July 8 - 7:00 p.m. CT

The Corn Crib - Normal, IL

Game #45 - Road Game #22 (24-20, 9-12)

RHP #38 RYNE MILLER (0-3, 5.16 ERA) vs. RHP #44 RYAN SHELDON (5-3, 2.89)

Last Time Out...

Will Block hit two home runs and Sean Coughlin hit a grand slam as the Southern Illinois Miners (29-15) beat the Joliet Slammers (24-20) by a final score of 10-4 Thursday night. The Slammers had a 3-1 lead at one point in the game but starter Tommy Mendoza ran in to some trouble in the fourth in fifth innings. Block hit a solo homer in the fourth and a two-run shot in the fifth to give the Miners the lead for good. They would take advantage of a rare poor performance from the Slammers bullpen as Brandon Garner was wild, hitting multiple batters, and Kevin Crimmel gave up a grand slam to Sean Coughlin as the Miners ran away with the game. Erik Lis did contribute a home run for Joliet but it was too little too late. With the win, the Slammers fell back to four games over .500 but stayed only 1/2 game back of the Windy City ThunderBolts in the East Division of the Frontier League.

For Starters...

Ryne Miller's first start with the Slammers came against Normal and he was excellent, going six innings, giving up three hits and one run, which was unearned. He walked four and struck out five in the outing. The Slammers traded their 2012 first round pick in the Frontier League draft to River City for Miller on June 27. Miller advanced as high as Double A in the Red Sox organization. He has a career 4.52 ERA in minor league baseball over four seasons.

Opening success...

The Slammers are 10-5 in series openers this season. In addition, they have won four straight series openers.

Trying to climb the mountain...

The Slammers have yet to hold first place by themselves this season, but if they win tonight and Windy City loses to the Miners, they will hold the top spot by themselves in the East Division.

Hit men...

The Slammers are 17-4 on the season when outhitting their opponents; they are only 5-14 when the other team out hits them.

Scenario...

In 15 AB's with runners in scoring position during his first professional season, David Fox has seven hits and 11 RBI. Brad Netzel has also been very good in the clutch as he is hitting .351 in 37 AB's with runners in scoring position.

Lethal Lis...

Erik Lis has been the hottest Slammers hitter recently, hitting .436 (17-39) over the team's last 10 games and .444 (8-18) over the team's last five games.

Craziness...

The Slammers have 14 comeback wins this season but are only 3-18 when trailing after six. When they lead after six, opponents might as well give up as the Slammers have a 17-0 mark in that scenario.

Hey now you're an all-star...

The Slammers have four players headed to the 2011 Frontier League All-Star Game in Avon, Ohio, which will take place on July 13. Three of the players have local connections. Oak Lawn native Erik Lis will start for the East Division at first base. The slugger has a team-high 9 HR and 38 RBI on the season. New Lenox native Josh Flores will start in the outfield. He has a team-leading 15 stolen bases and has saved numerous runs with his glove and his arm. Joliet native Ryan Quigley leads the league in saves with 14 and is the Slammers' lone pitcher on the All-Star roster. Last but not least, rookie outfielder Bobby Leeper made the team as a reserve thanks in large part to his .892 OPS.

Transaction Wire...

The Slammers signed RHP Brandon Garner yesterday and placed LHP Brian Fowler on the 7-Day Disabled List.

Check out the Joliet Slammers Statistics

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Frontier League Stories from July 8, 2011


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