Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Leslie's Two Home Runs Power Jackals To Win Over Worcester

Published on August 19, 2009 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - The thing about great hitters is that you never really know when they are going to bust out of a slump, case and point, New Jersey Jackals first baseman Myron Leslie. The switch hitter entered Wednesday night just 10-for-61 in the month of August, an underwhelming showing from the Can-Am League Hitter of the Month of June. By the time the evening was over though, Leslie showed Jackals fans why he is one of the most feared batters in the league, blasting a pair of two-run home runs and powering New Jersey to an 8-5 win over the Worcester Tornadoes at Yogi Berra Stadium.

The Jackals would need Leslie's big bat as they fell behind early with Worcester touching up starter A.J. Wideman for five runs in his first three innings on the mound. After getting a run in the second inning, the Tornadoes strung together four straight hits with one out in the top of the third to get the ball rolling. Center fielder Lucas Taylor, left fielder Mike MacMillan and third baseman Chris Colabello all lined singles, the latter one driving in a run, before first baseman Nick Salotti ripped an RBI-double to make it a 3-1 game. Designated hitter Alex Pena would ground in a run and catcher Yohanny Valera would lace an RBI-single as well, to tie the season high for runs allowed by Wideman. Luckily for the left-hander, his offense was ready and able to provide run support on a night when Worcester was hitting his best stuff.

After newcomer, first baseman, Jerod Edmondson collected an RBI-single in the third to cut the deficit to three runs, Leslie launched his first home run of the night in the fifth inning after left fielder Timo Perez drew a one out walk. Worcester starter Chris Farley was lifted moments later for right-hander Eddie Pena who wouldn't see Leslie until the seventh inning. After Pena (1-3) allowed a double to Perez, Leslie stepped to the plate and crushed a deep fly ball to center field that bounced off the wall and couldn't be tracked down by Taylor. The 6-3, 230-pound Leslie motored around the bases with Worcester struggling to get the ball back to the infield, and was waved home, beating the relay throw and completing one of the rarest feats in baseball: an inside the park home run. For Leslie it was his 13th home run of the season and gave the Jackals a 6-5 lead.

With Seth Overbey (4-4) on the mound for the Jackals pitching a scoreless seventh and eighth innings, New Jersey added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth inning thanks to a two-run double from shortstop Mike DeJesus. Rusty Tucker came on in the ninth and after allowing a leadoff single, struck out the next three batters to earn his 21st save of the season.

Offensively, the heart of the order was about as good as anyone could ask for New Jersey. Perez finished 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored, Edmondson in his Jackals debut went a perfect 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI and Leslie went 3-for-4, with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored.

New Jersey will conclude its three-game series with Worcester tomorrow night with a 7:05 contest. The Jackals will send left-hander Sean Thompson to the mound for his fourth start with the team, while the Tornadoes will counter with left-hander Ryan Lobban who has a Can-Am League-best nine wins this season. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game at www.jackals.com with the pre-game show starting 10 minutes prior.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. The Jackals have clinched the 2009 Can-Am League first-half title and an automatic berth in the playoffs, which begin on September 9. Playoff and regular season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.Jackals.com.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 19, 2009


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