RailCats Cut Magic Number to One, 8-1
Published on June 27, 2007 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
Joliet, Ill.-Josh Habel allowed just one run over seven innings and Jay Pecci drilled a two-run home run to lead the Gary SouthShore RailCats to an 8-1 victory over the Joliet JackHammers on Wednesday night. With the win, the RailCats cut their magic number to clinch the South Division of the Northern League to one. They lead the second place JackHammers by 10 games with 10 games to play in the first half race.
The RailCats record improved to 27-11 on the season, tying a club record for most victories in a half. Joliet fell 17-21.
The RailCats took the lead in the second on a lead-off home run by Jose Yepez, his third of the season. After Joliet pitcher Nick Renault retired the next 13 RailCats batters, Eric McNamee drew a one-out walk in the sixth and Jay Pecci followed with a home run to right, his second homer of the year, to give the RailCats a 3-0 lead.
Joliet's Juan Diaz connected on a solo home run with one out in the sixth to get the JackHammers on the board at 3-1.
But the RailCats answered with three runs in the eighth inning to take a commanding 6-1 lead. Pecci singled, Eric Blakeley walked, and Yepez walked to load the bases. Then Tanner Townsend drilled an 0-2 pitch over the head of center field Anthony Monegan to bring in all three runners. Then in the ninth, Eric Blakeley's two-out single brought in Nate Price and Eric McNamee to make it 8-1.
RailCats starting pitcher Josh Habel pitched out of early inning trouble. Joliet loaded the bases in the first before Habel got Derek Nicholson to ground into an inning-ending double play. In the second, Joliet had a man at third with one out but Habel got Dennis Blackmon to foul to the catcher and Eric Scriven to ground out to third to end the threat. In the third, he issued back-to-back two-out walks, but got Nicholson to fly to deep right to retire the side.
But Habel allowed only two more base runners over the rest of his seven inning out as he improved his record to 6-3 and moved into a tie with teammate Willie Glen for the league lead in wins. Habel allowed six hits and one run while striking out three and walking two.
Chad Blackwell pitched a scoreless eighth and Tony Cogan worked a perfect ninth to close it out for the RailCats.
The RailCats will play at Winnipeg on Friday in the opener to a five game series, needing only one more win or one more Joliet loss to wrap up the division title. They RailCats return home on July 4th.
Notes: The homers by Yepez and Pecci marked the first time the RailCats have hit two home runs in the same game this season...Blackwell extended his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 20 and one-third, a club record...The RailCats are 6-3 on their current 14 game road trip.
Northern League Stories from June 27, 2007
- T-Bones Rally Past Cracker-Cats - Edmonton Capitals
- Flyers Drop Fourth Straight - Schaumburg Flyers
- Alexander Throws Second Straight Gem - Calgary Vipers
- RailCats Cut Magic Number to One, 8-1 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RailCats Thump Jackhammers, 8-1 - Joliet JackHammers
- Come Celebrate Our Fourth Of July Homestand At Silver Cross Field - Joliet JackHammers
- Northern League Transactions - NL
- Goldeyes Send Hurst To Atlantic League - Winnipeg Goldeyes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
