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Can-Am Sussex County Miners

Miners Start Strong, Hold on to Beat Jackals

July 13, 2015 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Sussex County Miners News Release


LITTLE FALLS, NJ - Despite a solid start by Josh Wood and six runs in the first three innings, the Sussex County Miners had to battle to the finish to defeat the New Jersey Jackals on Monday night. Mark Threlkeld hit a grand slam for the Jackals (27-19) in the seventh inning, but the Miners (17-26) held on for a 6-4 victory at Yogi Berra Stadium.

Wood (4-1) was in the zone from the first pitch of the ballgame. The right-hander was perfect through the first three frames and only one New Jersey hitter threatened to break up his no-hit bid the first time through the order. Anthony Gomez hit a line drive to the left-centerfield gap in the third, but Reggie Abercrombie raced over and made a diving grab.

While Wood was cruising through the Jackals' lineup, the Miners' offense provided him with plenty of run support. Kenny Bryant and Devin Thaut got the scoring underway in the first inning with RBI singles off of New Jersey starter Anthony Claggett. The following inning, Johnny Bladel went deep over the left field wall for a two-run home run in just his second game back from the disabled list.

The Miners led 4-0 going to the top of the third when a two-out error paved the way for two more Sussex County runs. After Thaut singled, Ryan Pineda hit a ground ball to shortstop that could have ended the inning. Peter Mooney's throw to first, however, sailed wide and the Miners' third inning was still alive. With two men on and two outs, Jon Dziomba picked up his first two Miners RBI with a double down the right field line to give Sussex County a 6-0 lead.

Wood lost his perfect game and no-hitter in the fourth inning, but kept his scoreless streak going. The right-hander worked around a leadoff walk to Justin Trapp and a single by AJ Kirby- Jones to maintain the Miners' six-run lead. The fourth-inning trouble, however, was just the beginning of Wood's stress.

The Jackals began to threaten in every inning and Wood had to work out of trouble time and time again. New Jersey loaded the bases in the fifth inning and the rookie escaped without allowing a run. Then, in the sixth, the Jackals put runners on the corners and Wood danced out of the threat again. In the seventh inning, however, Wood's luck ran out.

The Miners still led 6-0 going to the bottom of the seventh when Wood loaded the bases on a pair of singles by Peter Mooney and Tony Caldwell, as well as a walk to Kirby-Jones. With two outs and the bases full, Mark Threlkeld came up and hit a grand slam over the left field wall to cut the Miners' lead to 6-4. Wood was removed from the mound after the grand slam and the Miners turned the ballgame over to the bullpen.

Michael Suk completed the seventh inning and worked a perfect eighth to bridge the gap to closer Joe Testa. The left-hander struck out Trapp and Mooney to begin the ninth, but walked Kirby-Jones to bring Threlkeld to the plate as the tying run. Testa, facing the man who had hit the grand slam two innings prior, struck out Threlkeld swinging to end the game.

Wood picked up his team-best fourth win. The only runs he allowed over his 6.2 innings were on the Threlkeld grans slam. Wood surrendered eight hits, struck out four and walked three. Testa earned his eighth save.

Claggett (0-2) rebounded from a rocky start to put together a fine outing, but took the loss. After Dziomba's two-run double in the third, Claggett set down seven straight men and only allowed two more hits and one walk in his final 4.1 innings of work. The right-hander finished with six runs allowed (four earned) over seven innings. He gave up eight hits, struck out seven and walked two.

The Miners split the four-game series with the Jackals and will head to Rockland on Tuesday morning to face the Can-Am League-leading Boulders. First pitch at Provident Bank Park is at 11 AM.

For  more  information  on  the  Sussex  County  Miners,  call  (973)  383---7644  or  go  online  to   SussexCountyMiners.com.

Check out the Sussex County Miners Statistics



Canadian American League Stories from July 13, 2015


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