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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Rox squeak past Jackals in finale

August 28, 2005 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - Jake Whitesides helped New Jersey make it very interesting in the ninth, but the home side ultimately fell to the Brockton Rox 7-6 Sunday at Yogi Berra Stadium.

With the Jackals trailing 7-4 to start the last frame, Matt Hagen walked, and Whitesides followed with a two-run shot to right-center to close the gap to a single run. However, Rox closer Tony Stutz came on to get the last out of the game and record his fifth save of the year.

The back-and-forth contest began with Brockton loading the bases in the first inning with no outs, but only pushed across one run to show for it. The Jackals answered back in a big way in the bottom of the third with three of their own, including a mammoth two-run homerun to centerfield off the bat of Francisco Lebron.

Lebron's 14th round-tripper of the year made the score 3-1, and it seemed like it would be enough behind pitcher Josh Brey, who had settled in nicely. Unfortunately, Brey had to be removed with one out in the sixth due to an injury, and the Rox took the lead with three runs in the inning.

Steve Checksfield plated the tying run for the Jackals with a groundout in the bottom half of the frame, and it looked as if New Jersey was primed for a victory.

The top of the seventh proved otherwise, with resilient Brockton scoring three more times, two off a big single from designated hitter Kris Zacuto, and the Rox got the lead they would barely hold onto.

For New Jersey, Zach Smithlin had another impressive game at the plate, going 3-for-4, and Elvis Corporan and Mike Rucci had two hits apiece. Starter Josh Brey was solid before his early exit, giving up three runs on four hits in five and a third. Joe Orloski came on to stop the bleeding for the Jackals and did just that, pitching two and two-thirds, giving up two hits and no runs.

On the other side of the box score, it was Zacuto providing a large chunk of Brockton's offense, going 3-for-3 with 3 RBI. Starter Brad Guy fought through eight and two-thirds, giving up six runs and 11 hits while striking out six to earn his first victory of the season.

The Jackals have an off day tomorrow before beginning a three-game series Tuesday against the Worcester Tornadoes at Yogi Berra Stadium, with first pitched scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For tickets and other information, please call the Jackals Ticket Office at 973-746-7434 or visit www.jackals.com.

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