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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Pavlik Dominates Defenders as Jackals Inch Closer to First-Half Title

July 12, 2009 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - Jackals starter Isaac Pavlik was brilliant in his ninth start of the season, guiding New Jersey to a 4-1 victory over the American Defenders of New Hampshire at Yogi Berra Stadium on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Jackals cut their magic number to one and can clinch the Can-Am League first-half title with either a Quebec win over Brockton in a 5:05 p.m. game tonight, or a win over New Hampshire tomorrow night.

Pavlik (5-1) allowed just one run on four hits in eight innings of work, striking out seven batters and walking just one. The left-hander now has 44 strikeouts this season, the highest total in the Can-Am League. Closer Rusty Tucker came on in the ninth inning to shut the door on New Hampshire and notch his twelfth save of the season.

The Defenders plated their only run of the contest in the bottom of the second inning. After a leadoff triple by designated hitter Jabe Bergeron New Hampshire left fielder Jerod Edmondson laced a single that scored Bergeron from third to make it a 1-0 game.

New Jersey would be kept in check by New Hampshire starter Lucas Ledbetter through the first five innings, stranding eight runners over that stretch. Ledbetter, making just his second start of the season, finally broke in the sixth inning when the Jackals tied the game. After catcher Matt Lauderdale led off with a walk, recent acquisition Justin Humphries ripped a double that placed runners at second and third with no outs. New Hampshire then went to the bullpen, bringing in right-hander Gabe Cuevas to face Mike Scanzano. The Jackals' third baseman walked to load the bases for centerfielder Billy Kovatch, who grounded into a fielder's choice that scored Lauderdale from third and forced Scanzano out at second.

The Jackals would put their final three runs up on the board in the bottom of the seventh. With new relief pitcher Luis Ramos on the mound, leftfielder Ryan Rogowski drew a walk to start the frame for New Jersey. A sacrifice bunt by shortstop Mike DeJesus moved Rogowski to second before cleanup hitter Myron Leslie drew a walk of his own. Right fielder Quentin Davis then flew out to right field for the second out of the inning. Davis entered the game in the fifth inning to replace Juan Tejeda, who was ejected for arguing a called strike.

The next batter, catcher Matt Lauderdale, ripped a single to load the bases and knock Ramos out of the contest. New Hampshire turned to reliever Adam Piechowski to silence the Jackals rally, but New Jersey wouldn't be stopped. Humphries deposited a two-run single and moments later Scanzano laced a run-scoring single of his own to make it 4-1 Jackals.

In the ninth, Tucker would face just four batters, allowing a one out single to center fielder Edward Ovalle, before retiring the final two batters of the contest. Ramos (4-3) took the loss for New Hampshire as the go-ahead runs in the seventh inning were credited to him. New Jersey concludes its four-game series with the Defenders tomorrow night as Stuart Pomeranz takes the mound for the Jackals against New Hampshire right-hander Nick Asselin. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. but tune in to the live broadcast starting at 6:50 p.m. at www.jackals.com. Cody Chrusciel and Joey Whelan will be on the call for the contest.

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