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Pump Jacks Rally to Sweep Strykers

July 6, 2013 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


For the second game in a row, the East Texas Pump Jacks visited the Woodlands Strykers. For the second game in a row, the Pump Jacks used a late home run to grab the lead from the Strykers. The most important streak that remained intact, though, is the season-long seven-game win streak East Texas is riding thanks to a 10-7 victory over The Woodlands Friday night.

The game was a seesaw affair, but the Pump Jacks pulled away with another rally late in the game. J.J. Robinson clubbed a pinch-hit solo homer with two outs in the eighth to take an 8-7 lead, just two innings after Ty Marlow's two-run homer in the sixth tied the game at 7-7.

Like the night prior, the Pump Jacks plated a run in both the first and second innings to jump to an early lead. Matthew Dickey opened the game with a walk, moved to second on a grounder by Bret Bitow, and made his way to third on a passed ball. Dickey crossed home for the first run of the game on an RBI groundout from Joey Armstrong.

In the second, Nate Esposito opened the frame with a single to left, and moved to second on a bouncer by Ty Marlow. Ryan Hope continued his clutch hitting, lacing a double to bring home Esposito and give East Texas a 2-0 lead.

The lead did not last long, though, as the Strykers tallied five runs in the home half of the second to pull ahead the Pump Jacks.

East Texas answered right back with some timely hitting the very next inning to even the score at 5-5. Dickey once again opened the inning by reaching first, this time by way of an error. He swiped second for his 15th stolen base on the year, and moved to third on a broken bat groundout from Bitow. Armstrong earned his second RBI of the night on a grounder that was misplayed by the Strykers, putting the newly minted all-star at first. Fellow all-star Garrett McMullen kept the inning going with a bloop double, leaving runners at second and third for Ty Marlow. A two-time all-star himself, Marlow sent a single past the shortstop's glove, scoring both Armstrong and McMullen and tying the game.

The lead changed hands yet again in the fourth, when the Strykers plated the go-ahead run on a wild pitch to go up 6-5.

An inning later Jacob Kelzer, who came in to relieve starter Jordan Johnson, allowed back-to-back walks, and then an error from Armstrong loaded the bases with no outs. The Strykers extended the lead to 7-5 on a sacrifice fly. Don Sullivan relieved Kelzer and worked out of the jam, inducing two groundouts to end the inning.

But the Pump Jacks weren't done. Esposito opened the sixth inning by turning an 0-2 count into a leadoff walk, setting the stage for Ty Marlow. The elder Marlow crushed a no-doubt home run to take over the team lead and move into a tie for second in the TCL with four homers on the season. More importantly, his two-run shot knotted the game at 7-7.

The score remained tied into the eighth inning, when Sullivan was scheduled to bat with two outs and nobody on. Robinson came on to pinch-hit for the pitcher and promptly crushed a ball to right to give the Jacks an 8-7 lead. It was Robinson's third homer of the season and the third time this summer East Texas hit more than one home run in a game. As a team, the Pump Jacks have hit 15 home runs through 32 games, surpassing their totals from each of the last two seasons. In 2012, the Jacks hit nine homers in 59 games, and in 2011, they hit 11 in 58 games.

The Jacks added some insurance in the top of the ninth, scoring two more times to secure a 10-7 lead. For the third time on the night, Dickey reached base safely, this time with a walk. He stole second and scored on a double by Brooks Marlow, his eighth on the season. Brooks Marlow, named an all-star like his older brother earlier in the day, moved over to third on a fly out by Armstrong. Esposito singled to center to plate Marlow for the final margin of victory.

Johnson, who was selected to the East all-star staff, had his first rough outing of the season. He finished the night with four innings pitched, allowing six runs on six hits while picking up two strikeouts. Kelzer pitched one-third of an inning, allowing one run on three walks.

Sullivan earned the win, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings and allowing only one hit. J.J. Franklin closed out the game to pick up his first save of the season, pitching the final two shutout innings.

The Pump Jacks continue their road trip with a two-game set against the Texas Marshals on Saturday and Sunday night.

Then all eyes will be East Texas for the 2013 TCL All-Star Game on Tuesday July 9th. Future major leaguers will descend on historic Driller Park for the first TCL All-Star Game hosted by the Pump Jacks. Pregame festivities include a home run derby, which will include representatives from each of the six teams, as well as an all-star autograph session.

Tickets for the TCL All-Star Game can be purchased online at pumpjacksbaseball.com, in person at the Pump Jacks office at 106 North Kilgore Street, #201, in downtown Kilgore, or at the ticket office at Driller Park the night of the game.

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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