FL Joliet Slammers

Slammers Have Seven-Game Win Streak Snapped

Published on August 3, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


JOLIET, IL- It was a back and forth game between the Joliet Slammers presented by ATI Physical Therapy and the Normal CornBelters, but an error by Alfredo Rodriguez in the top of the ninth inning with two outs allowed the winning run to score for Normal. The Joliet Slammers fell to the CornBelters 6-5 on Tuesday, August 2.

It seemed as if relief pitcher Brent Choban was going to be able to pitch out of the jam he created after hitting the lead off batter and Justin Fletcher laying down a perfect bunt to create a second and third situation.

Choban made a big play by throwing out Dylan Kelly, the lead runner at third on a failed sacrifice bunt by Elvin Rodriguez. Santiago hit a slow roller with two outs and runners on first and second and the usual strong fielder Alfredo Rodriguez tried to bare hand the ball, letting it slip underneath and Fletcher coming around to score.

Joliet had a great chance to score in the seventh inning having runners on first and second, but could not take the lead. The key moment of the game came in the seventh inning when left fielder Dillon Haupt threw out Charlie White at home.

White tried to score on Jake Gronsky's single through the left side, but was called out on the close play at home. Carter Bell popped out to end the inning.

Liam O'Sullivan started on the mound for the Slammers, but could not hold off the CornBelters. Normal scored five times on eight hits on the Slammers' undefeated pitcher. O'Sullivan entered the game with a 7-0 record. He took the no-decision in Tuesday's contest.

The Slammers have been lucky enough to have an offense that puts up a lot of runs each night, and have bailed out some starting pitching that has not gone the way O'Sullivan planned. A few weeks ago, O'Sullivan allowed seven runs and did not take the loss.

He said his goal is to get the team back in the dugout as fast as he can so they can start scoring runs. The Slammers hung in there all the way to the end with the CornBelters.

Normal scored two times on O'Sullivan in the top of the first inning, but the stellar Slammers' offense score two of their own to get right back in the game.

Zarley Zalewski hit his first home run with the Slammers in the fourth inning, giving them a 4-2 lead for just that half of the inning. Normal scored three times in the top of the fifth to take a 5-4 lead.

The loss snaps the Slammers' seven-game win streak and their perfect record at home on this nine-game home stand. The Slammers are playing their final two games of this home stand and are 6-1.

Joliet is still in first place in the East Division and will be right back in action Wednesday morning to get back on the winning track. The Slammers and CornBelters will square off at 11 a.m.

Tuesday's Merchants and Manufacturers Player of the Game was Jake Gronsky. Gronksy drove in a pair of funs and went 2-5.

Check out the Joliet Slammers Statistics

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Frontier League Stories from August 3, 2016


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