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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Rox Power Past Jackals For Second Straight Night

September 4, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Brockton, Mass. - Bryan Sabatella went 4-for-5 with three RBIs, but the New Jersey Jackals (57-35 overall, 30-15 second half) dropped their second straight game on the road against the Brockton Rox, 10-6, on Saturday night at Campanelli Stadium.

With four hits, Sabatella raised his batting average in 11 games with the Jackals to .458. New Jersey shortstop Mike DeJesus chipped in three hits in the losing effort.

The Brockton win combined with a Worcester loss at Quebec on Saturday night guarantees the Rox at least a one-game playoff against the Tornadoes on Tuesday for the final playoff spot. Brockton can clinch a playoff spot outright with a win on Sunday or a Worcester loss on Sunday or Monday.

The contest went back and forth early. Brockton opened the scoring in the bottom of the second on a Chris Grossman RBI single before the Jackals tied the score in the top of the third on a base hit by D'Angelo Jimenez.

The Rox regained a 2-1 lead on a third-inning RBI single by Phillip Cuadrado, but the Jackals struck back with a three-run fourth to take their first lead of the day. With runners on the corners and two outs in the fourth, Rox' catcher Chris Grossman fired the ball into center field on a Chris White steal allowing the Jackals to tie the game. Later in the frame, a two-run double by Sabatella gave New Jersey a 4-2 edge.

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Rox retaliated with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead for good. After Brockton loaded the bases against New Jersey starter Jon Kibler, a walk by Dan Barbero forced in a run to cut the Rox' deficit to 4-3. The Rox then tied the game on a Chris Valencia single, took the lead on another bases-loaded walk by Dominic Ramos, and extended their advantage to 6-4 on a sacrifice fly.

The Rox built a cushion late in the contest, pushing across three sixth-inning runs on a fielders' choice and a two-run single by Shawn Williams before making it 10-4 an inning later on a Valancia RBI single.

The Jackals rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the eighth to cut their deficit to 10-6. With one out and a runner at first, White grounded back to the pitcher, Mark Rosen, who threw the ball into the ground at second base to put two runners aboard. Sean Smith then walked to load the bases before Rosen uncorked a wild pitch to allow a run to score. An RBI single by Sabatella capped the scoring.

Rox starter John Kelly left with an elbow injury after just one inning, turning the ball over to former Jackal Mike Petrowski in the top of the second inning. Petrowski allowed four runs in three innings before giving way to Jimmer Kennedy (3-3), who tossed three shutout innings and allowed just one hit to earn the victory. Kibler (3-6) took the loss after yielding six runs on 10 hits over five innings of work.

The Jackals and Rox conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends right-hander Jairo Mendez to the mound for his 2011 debut while Brockton counters with rookie right-hander Zach Woods (2-1, 1.17 ERA) at Campanelli Stadium. Cody Chrusciel has the call on the live webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

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