Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Madera Ninth-Inning Grand Slam Fuels Jackal Comeback Win

Published on August 28, 2007 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - New Jersey Jackals wouldn't be beat Tuesday evening against the Spirit. They used a seven run top of the ninth inning, fueled by a Sandy Madera grand slam, to stun the Spirit 9-6.

It took till the fifth inning for the fans at Fraser Field to see some run scoring in the first game of the four game series. With two outs, and Joe Mihalics at second base, Clay Kuklick lifted a routine fly ball into left field that looked to be the final out of the inning. But left fielder Mike Torres dropped the ball allowing Mihalics to score. Later in the inning, a Francisco Leandro RBI single gave the Jackals a 2-0 lead.

The New Jersey advantage didn't last long as the Spirit sent 10 men to the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning, leading to a five run outpouring. Mike Torres collected a two-RBI single, Luis Lopez drove in a pair with a double, and Jerson Perez put an end to the scoring in the inning with an RBI single.

The Spirit tacked on another run to their lead in the seventh with a sac fly by Gary Roche. After seven, the Spirit lead was 6-2.

Despite looking lifeless after North Shore's big inning, the Jackals showed tremendous amounts of heart in the ninth. Spirit relievers Donny Langdon and Derek Drage both struggled, surrendering seven runs to put the Jackals in the lead 9-6. Down 6-5, Leandro was walked intentionally to load up the bases for Sandy Madera. Madera made the Spirit pay by drilling a grand slam to left center field, and give the Jackals the lead that they wouldn't relinquish.

Kyle George earned the win for the Jackals. Drage took the loss for the Spirit. Tom Atlee pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth for a save in his Jackal debut.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 28, 2007


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