Three-run homer spoils great pitching performance

Published on May 24, 2005 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release


Joliet, IL—The fans who braved the cold on Monday night were treated to a game that featured some red-hot pitching. The temperatures dipped into the mid-50's but JackHammers starter Luis Villarreal and T-Bones starter Nick Webb each made their season debut a night to remember. In a battle of two teams tied atop the Southern division of the Northern League it would be the T-Bones setting the pace of the series early, winning on a 3-run 8th inning homer off the bat of Eddie Pearson.

The way the game started out, you would never have guessed it would turn into the best pitcher's duel seen this year at Silver Cross Field. Both pitchers gave up many 1st at-bat hits to begin innings, but both proved to be quite cunning at escaping jams. Villarreal would allow the lead-off man to reach in four of his seven innings, but never allowed a run as he would pitch seven strong shutout innings, scattering 4 hits, walking 3 and striking out 9. Not to be outdone, Nick Webb went 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just 5 hits and registering 7 K's while walking only 2.

The seven scoreless innings were a treat for the fans and defenses as both pitchers twirled magnificent games in their 1st starts of the year, but neither would factor into the final decision as they each would leave with zeroes still on the board.

Joe Goodman came in with 2 on in the 7th, and got the JackHammers catcher, Jeff Goldbach to ground out to end the threat.

Joaquin Canizal would get the ball for Jeff Isom's ‘Hammers in the top of the 8th and immediately ran into some trouble. Right-fielder Chad Sosebee would reach on a nifty bunt single. That was followed by a soft liner off the bat of Ray Brown that fell mere inches in front of a diving Kyle Logan, the JackHammers center-fielder. That set the stage for one of the most feared batters in the league to come to the plate in a situation where Joliet was forced to pitch to him.

The ensuing battle was a fitting microcosim of the ballgame, with Canizal refusing to give in, and with the count at 2-2, four straight foul balls came off the bat of Pearson. Joaquin then tried to catch the veteran slugger off balance, but instead caught to much plate. The result was a towering 3-run blast to right field that put the T-Bones on top by a 3-0 score. Canizal would rebound nicely, striking out 3 of the next 6 men he would face, but by then the damage had been done.

Kansas City closer Derek Forbes would enter the game in the 9th with a 3-run cushion and mow down the ‘Hammers in the 9th, allowing just a Matt McCay single but getting the final out to finish up a game one win for the Kansas City T-Bones by a final of 3-0.

Goodman (1-0) would be the pitcher of record and pick up his first win of the season while Canizal (1-1) would give up the decisive home run and even up his record on the season. The save was the 2nd of the season for Forbes.

Game Two features a pair of right-handers in Caleb Balbuena and Brian Bulger, each of whom are making their first start of the season. First pitch is slated for 6:05 as it's Cub Foods Family Night on Tuesday!

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Northern League Stories from May 24, 2005


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