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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Three Homers Spark Jackals Come-From-Behind Win in Home Opener

May 31, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, N.J. - The New Jersey Jackals used a trio of home runs to overcome an early deficit and defeat the Newark Bears, 7-6, in Tuesday night's home opener at Yogi Berra Stadium.

The Jackals took their first lead of the contest in the bottom of the eighth inning when center fielder Chris White followed a leadoff double from right fielder Jeremy Slayden by crushing a two-run home run onto the hill in right field. With the Jackals leading 7-6, right-hander Steve Fox entered in the bottom of the ninth inning and retired the first two hitters of the frame before southpaw Jeff Gogal picked up the game's final out to earn his first save of the season.

Trailing 5-1 in the middle of the first inning, New Jersey plated the game's next four runs to even the score. In the bottom of the second, Slayden launched a solo homer to right to make it 5-2. An inning later, The Jackals plated a pair of runs to pull within one when Myron Leslie doubled and scored on a Mike Jones single and Jones came around on a fielders' choice. The Jackals tied the game at five when third baseman Nick Giarraputo connected on his first home run of the season to lead off the sixth inning.

Newark re-gained a 6-5 lead in the eighth inning when center fielder Tim Raines Jr. roped a one-out triple to right field following a leadoff single by catcher Billy Alvino.

Jackals' starter Isaac Pavlik, who in the second inning passed John Kelly to become the Can-Am League's career leader in innings pitched, was tagged for five runs (four earned) over the first two innings of the game before settling down and finishing his outing with 4 1/3 scoreless frames. Pavlik surrendered nine hits while striking out seven batters and walking just one. Newark starter Alex Smith allowed four runs on five hits in five innings. Neither starter factored in the decision with New Jersey's Jared Locke picking up the win and Newark's Andrew Pluta absorbing the loss after working the final three innings.

The Jackals and Bears conclude their three-game series on Wednesday morning at 11:05 a.m. when New Jersey sends southpaw James Leverton (0-1, 3.00 ERA) to the mound against Newark right-hander Jesse Estrada (0-0, 7.20 ERA). Cody Chrusciel and Matt Sutor have the call on the live webcast, beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

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*Jackal Bites:* The win was the Jackals fourth straight in their home opener with their last loss coming in 2007... Argenis Reyes, who committed just two errors in 33 games with the Jackals last season, made his second error of the 2011 season in the fifth inning on Tuesday night... In the win, New Jersey collected a season-high six extra-base hits... In two starts this season, Pavlik has struck out 17 batters and walked just two.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2011 single-game tickets, season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

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Canadian American League Stories from May 31, 2011


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