Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Miller's Stellar Outing Helps Jackals Continue Playoff Push

Published on August 30, 2010 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - Jayson Miller tossed seven shutout innings as the New Jersey Jackals defeated the Pittsfield Colonials 6-2 on Monday night at Yogi Berra Stadium. The win, which cuts the Jackals magic number to clinch a playoff spot to six, was their fourth in five games on their current homestand.

Miller (3-4) turned in his best start in a Jackals' uniform, scattering six hits while striking out four. The 24-year-old southpaw walked just one batter.

The Jackals now lead the Worcester Tornadoes by one game for the fourth and final playoff spot. New Jersey has six games remaining in the regular season while the Tornadoes, who were idle Monday night, have seven games left on their schedule.

The Jackals used consecutive one-out doubles by Jacob Butler and Angel Flores to open the scoring and take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Then with two outs in the fourth, Travis Jones and Kevin Clark lifted back-to-back solo home runs to give New Jersey a 3-0 advantage.

That score held until the bottom of the seventh, when starter Patrick Moran exited and the Jackals tagged reliever Reymond Cruz for three runs to take a 6-0 lead. Cruz, who had surrendered just one run and two hits in six previous outings against New Jersey, allowed singles to Adam Godwin and Mike DeJesus to begin the inning before Abraham Nunez lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to make it 4-0. After a Jabe Bergeron base hit, Carlos Sosa deposited a two-run double to left center just out of the reach of diving outfielders Jerod Edmondson and Rafael Cabreja, who collided on the play. Cabreja left the game with an injury.

Edgar Estanga retired the Colonials in order on just six pitches in the top of the eighth before Pittsfield struck reliever Mike Pontius for two runs (one earned) in the ninth, but Pontius worked around a pair of walks and an Angel Molina RBI double by fanning three batters to preserve the victory.

Moran (4-2) surrendered three runs on seven hits in six innings, but took the loss. Pittsfield rookie Kyle Bradley contributed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Offensively, Nunez went 3-for-4 with a double in his team-leading 29thmulti-hit effort of the season. DeJesus added a pair of singles and a walk as well while Molina, Matt Nandin, and Donny Leon each notched a pair of hits for the Colonials.

The Jackals (39-47 overall, 20-20 second half) and Colonials (42-45 overall, 22-18 second half) continue their three-game series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. In the middle game of the set, New Jersey will send reigning Can-Am League Pitcher of the Week Isaac Pavlik (7-5, 3.57) to the mound against Pittsfield right-hander Miguel Flores (8-4, 3.78), who struck out a career-high 12 batters in his last start. Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

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. 2010 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

Game Notes: Five of Kevin Clark's eight home runs this season have come against Pittsfield... The Jackals are now 6-12 against the Colonials in 2010... The fourth inning marked the first time this season New Jersey batters had homered twice in the same inning.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 30, 2010


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