FL Joliet Slammers

Miners Get the Best of the Slammers Tuesday

Published on July 19, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


JOLIET, IL- In a battle of first place teams, the Slammers matched the Southern Illinois Miners hit for hit almost the whole way, but could not find a way to win. The Miners came out on top 9-1 Tuesday, July 19.

The Slammers' loss was not a matter of not hitting the ball, it was a matter of the Miners capitalizing with runners on base and getting more runners on base. The Miners' starting pitcher Rick Teasley did give up nine hits and walked only one batter.

Alfredo Rodriguez and Melvin Rodriguez each had a pair of hits for the Slammers Tuesday and were left on base both times each. Casey Fletcher drove in the Slammers' only run until the ninth inning when Phil Bates drove in Jake Gronsky on a sacrifice fly.

" I think we ran into a good pitcher tonight," Alfredo said. "Teasley is one of the better pitchers in this league. He was changing speeds and they got out to a lead and it's very tough to comeback off a guy like that, who's pounding the zone, not really walking people and he has a very good changeup."

Alfredo added as a team, they have to honor what Teasley was able to do and tip their cap to him.

The Miners showed why they have the best record in the Frontier League, even going against the Slammers who have the second-best record in the league. Southern Illinois put pressure on starting pitcher Shane Bryant right off the bat. They put up six runs on Bryant in 4.2 innings pitched.

Although the Slammers were only outhit 11-9 in the game, Southern Illinois' patience at the plate early in the game helped them be successful. The Slammers were able to draw four walks off the Miners' relief pitchers, including three in the ninth inning.

"The more guys you get on base, you put yourself in better position to score," Alfredo said. "They were able to capitalize today and hopefully we can learn from that tonight and come back tomorrow.

Southern Illinois improved its record to 38-17 after the win over the Slammers, and the Slammers' record drops to 30-25. With the Washington Wild Things off on Tuesday, the Slammers only lose .5 games in their division lead in the East.

The Slammers have had no problem scoring runs this season, and the key for Wednesday's game will be getting back to playing their own game, Alfredo said.

"(We'll approach Wednesday) the same way, play our game," Alfredo said. "We're an aggressive team, we've also have patience as well. We want to get on base, drive guys in and have our pitchers out there throwing strikes, get the defense involved. Stick to our game. It's one game."

Tuesday's Merchants and Manufacturers Player of the Game is Alfredo Rodriguez for going 2-4 at the plate.

The Slammers and the Miners will be back Wednesday, July 20 for the second game of the series on "Turn the Ballpark Blue" night.

About the Joliet Slammers: The Joliet Slammers presented by ATI Physical Therapy play at Silver Cross Field in downtown Joliet, Illinois, and are members of the professional, independent Frontier League. The Frontier League is a 12-team league entering its 24th season of play in 2016. Visit the Slammers online at www.jolietslammers.com or call the ticket office at 815-722-2287 for more information! Don't forget to "Like" the Slammers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jolietslammers, follow them on Twitter and Instagram at @jolietslammers, or add them on Snapchat, username jolietslammers!

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Frontier League Stories from July 19, 2016


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