FL River City Rascals

Rascals Come up One Run Short against Joliet Saturday

Published on July 30, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


For the second night in a row, the Rascals went into the ninth inning trailing by a run and began the frame recording back-to-back hits. Mike Jurgella led off with a single against right-hander Kevin Simmons and Robby Enslen followed that up with a line drive into left field putting the tying run in scoring position with top of the order due up.

Simmons took control striking out Colon and then had to pitch both runners in scoring position after a ground out from Johnny Morales.

He would get his fourth save of the year when a Josh Silver ground out ended the game and gave the Slammers a series win for the second time this year against the Rascals.

River City began the game in a tough spot trailing by two runs after the opening frame and 5-0 by the time the Slammers chased Rascals starter Tim Koons out of the game.

In the first inning, the Slammers leadoff hitter Charlie White reached on a walk, stole second and then came around to give his team the lead on a one out RBI single from Jake Gronsky. Joliet added one more with a RBI ground out from former Rascal Marc Flores to take a 2-0 lead.

Koons loaded the bases in the following inning but got out of the jam with a double play ball to keep his offense trailing by two runs.

In the top of the third, Robby Enslen reached on a walk making it three consecutive innings that the Rascals had a baserunner with less than two outs. However, Slammers starter Shane Bryant induced his second double play ball in as many innings to hold his opponent scoreless.

The Slammers gained more ground after that with three runs in the bottom of the third, including a two RBI single from Casey Fletcher in what would be his final inning.

Leaving in line for the loss, Koons allowed five runs on four hits and walked a season high six in three innings of work.

The Slammers didn't get to many innings out of their starter either as he was pulled in the fifth, giving up three runs on four hits and four walks.

Before being pulled, Bryant loaded the bases to begin the frame and Robby Enslen made him pay with a RBI single to score Josh Ludy. Johnny Morales and Josh Silver both drove in a run despite not recording a hit to bring the Rascals within two, 5-3, heading into the home half of the fifth.

In long relief, Rascals rookie Reese Gregory held the opponent scoreless in four innings of work keeping his team in the game and the Rascals made it 5-4 when Johnny Morales came into score on a passed ball in the eighth inning.

Also on the passed ball, Josh Silver advanced to third but the tying run was left stranded on a pair of fly outs induced by a pair of Slammers relievers (Kevin McNorton and Tyler Levine).

Nick Kennedy held the opponent scoreless in the bottom of the eighth but his offense failed to convert in their final opportunity and dropped a rare game when out-hitting opponents.

River City was 24-2 when winning the hit battle and are now 24-3 as they finished with eight and the Slammers finished with seven.

For the Rascals, Mike Jurgella and Robby Enslen each had two while four other Rascals had one.

The loss marked the second series loss to the Slammers this year and the Rascals will try to avoid the sweep and falling to a season low five games under .500 Sunday afternoon.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.

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Frontier League Stories from July 30, 2016


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