Middle innings again a killer for JackHammers

Published on August 27, 2005 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release


Gary, IN- For the second straight night, the Gary SouthShore RailCats (22-19, 49-40) used a large outburst in the middle innings to take a 10-2 win on Saturday night at the U.S. Steel Yard over the Joliet JackHammers (12-29, 35-54).

The RailCats pounded out a season tying high of seventeen hits in their eight innings of work at the plate. They also got a strong pitching performance from right-hander Willie Glen (8-3), who went six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out seven. The loss meanwhile would be tagged to reliever Steve Dunham (0-1).

The JackHammers got things going early in the first, thanks to a single from Eric Blakeley and a walk to Chad Ehrnsberger. Jayson Drobiak sent a rocket to right field that short hopped the wall, good for a two run scoring double. The RBI for Jayson were his eighty-seventh and eighty-eighth of the season to put Joliet on top early 2-0.

Gary tied it up in the bottom of the third inning off Joliet starter Allen Levrault. Anthony Iapoce blasted his second straight extra base hit, this time a one out triple to right-center. Fehlandt Lentini followed with a first pitch two run home run down the left field line to tie the game at two apiece.

A pair of walks and a single would later load the bases in that third inning, chasing Levrault from the game after two and a third innings. Reliever Steve Dunham induced a momentum swinging double play to get the ‘Hammers out of the jam.

Gary took the lead in the fourth inning after Tanner Townsend led off the inning with a double, and came into scored on a RBI hit to left from Eric McNamee to give the RailCats their first lead of the game, 3-2.

The score would remain tight until the sixth, when for the second straight night, Gary exploded with a three run inning, again keyed by a two run single from the number nine hitter, McNamee. Eric would finish the evening 2-4 with three RBI.

The third reliever of the night for Joliet, Ty Marotz, would have a rough night, facing five batters without recording an out in the seventh inning. He allowed three singles, a double and a two run homer in a four run seventh inning that sealed the game and provided the final tally of 10-2.

The JackHammers had a good night from Jermaine Allensworth and Eric Blakeley, each of whom went 2-4. The loss for the team meanwhile was their fourth straight.

Gary was led offensively by Ben Risinger and Tanner Townsend, who each had three hits on the night. Risinger's night included a two run home run, while Townsend had a pair of doubles.

Before the game, Joliet activated Jamie Spottz, who had earlier served as the team's bullpen catcher. Spottz was also activated in mid June, getting three at-bats on the season, going 0-3. Jamie reached on a fielder's choice in his only at bat of the game, a pinch hit appearance in the ninth.

Joliet sends right-hander Jason Shelley (5-10, 5.40 ERA) to the mound on Sunday at 2PM to face the RailCats who counter with left-hander Mike Schaefer (3-8, 5.01 ERA).

Loose Gravel: The JackHammers played the final four innings without Jose Amado, who was ejected for arguing balls and strikes with local umpire Erik Stahlbush. Amado was arguing his second straight at-bat where he had been called out looking. In his previous ninety at-bats, Jose had only two strikeouts. On Saturday, he had three at-bats, striking out twice, both on very questionable pitches.

The season series now stands tied at three wins apiece, with Gary now holding a slight 24-23 advantage all time. The win for Gary also clinches their first winning season in franchise history.

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Northern League Stories from August 27, 2005


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