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Pump Jacks Rally But Fall Just Short in Victoria

July 13, 2013 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The Jacks rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth, highlighted by Garrett McMullen's two-out, two-strike, three-run home run to tie the game. The Generals put a damper on the comeback with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to take the game and the series from the Jacks, 9-8.

Sometimes it seems like the script was written to have a Hollywood ending... right up until you realize the script wasn't written for you.

Such was the case Friday night, when the East Texas Pump Jacks erased a five-run deficit in the ninth inning, only to succumb to the hometown Victoria Generals in the bottom of the frame, 9-8. Garrett McMullen capped the comeback with a game-tying, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth, only to see the Generals celebrating a short time later.

It was do-or-die for the Pump Jacks in the top of the ninth inning, down 8-3 and facing all-star closer Kaleb Keith. The inning began with a glimmer of hope when pinch-hitter Michael Hymes reached base on an error by the shortstop. Pinch-hitting pitcher Ben Mordini roped a double to left-center that scored Hymes to close the gap to 8-4, and another error by the shortstop allowed Mordini to take third on the play. One out later, Mordini scrambled home on a passed ball, but after a fly out, the Jacks were down to their last chance.

Bret Bitow kept the Jacks alive, lacing a double to center after falling behind 0-2. Joey Armstrong followed with a swinging bunt, also with two strikes, to put runners at the corners for McMullen. Like Bitow and Armstrong before him, McMullen found himself down to his last strike but he too wouldn't go quietly. The Longview native blasted his second home run of the season, and just like that the game was tied, 8-8.

The excitement was short-lived, though, as the Generals responded in the bottom of the frame to take the ball game. After a single, an error, and a sacrifice bunt put a runner on third with no outs, Drew Featherston singled to right to walk off with a Generals win, 9-8.

Things took a rough start early on for the Jacks and starter Jordan Johnson. The Generals scored three off the all-star righty in the first inning, including a two-run homer from Romeo Cortina. They followed with one in each the second and third innings to take a quick 5-0 lead.

The Pump Jacks got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth. J.J. Robinson was hit by a pitch with one out and Ryan Hope singled to put runners on the corners. Mark Mathias scored Robinson on a grounder to third, and Devon Conley singled to plate Mathias and bring the Jacks within three, 5-2.

The two teams traded runs in the fifth and the seventh, both times because of defensive lapses. The Generals scored in the fifth inning thanks to two Pump Jack errors. East Texas turned the tables in the seventh frame, taking advantage of an error by the Generals to score a run of their own. Conley led off with a single and advanced all the way to third on an errant pickoff attempt. Bitow earned the RBI with a sac fly to left to plate Conley and make the score 6-3.

The Generals again answered the Jacks, this time with a two-run homer by Featherston in the bottom of the seventh. The blast increased the Victoria lead to 8-3, setting the stage for the heroics in the ninth inning.

J.J. Franklin was tagged with the loss after allowing the leadoff single in the ninth. The single was the only hit that Franklin allowed in his 1.1 innings pitched, but it proved to be costly when it became the decisive run. Johnson went just three innings in his shortest start of the season, allowing four earned runs on five hits while fanning two batters.

Mitch Meyer made a respectable mound debut for the Jacks, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing a hit and a run while striking out two.

The Pump Jacks return home on Saturday and Sunday to welcome the Brazos Valley Bombers to historic Driller Park. Saturday marks the second giveaway of the season for the Jacks, when the first 500 fans will get a personal LED message fan, presented by Convergys. Beat the heat with these great personal fans, which feature a flashing message when you turn them on. Take them everywhere for a great blast of cool air and a unique way to support the Jacks, all courtesy of Convergys.

Sunday will be another Sunday Fun Day with the Jacks, presented by theGOspot.com. Enjoy $2.50 chips and salsa or $2.50 frozen margaritas and Straw-ber-ritas for the weekend event. The Pump Jacks will even have face painting for the kids, just on Sunday Fun Day presented by theGOspot.com.

To get all the news on the Pump Jacks 2013 season, including game stories and promotional updates, visit the Pump Jacks official web site at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com. Join the conversation with other members of Pump Jacks Nation by visiting the Pump Jacks on Facebook and Twitter.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from July 13, 2013


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