FL Joliet Slammers

Vazquez Homers Twice, Slammers Win Fifth Straight

Published on June 8, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


JOLIET, IL - The Joliet Slammers presented by ATI Physical Therapy won their fifth straight game Wednesday, June 8 with a 5-3 win over the Lake Erie Crushers. Boo Vazquez led the way with two home runs in the game.

Vazquez came up big for the Slammers throughout the night, driving in three out of the five runs off a pair of homers.

The Slammers and Crushers both scored a pair of runs in the second inning, but Vazquez's home run to right field gave the Slammers a brief lead as the Crushers tied the game in the next half inning.

With two outs in the seventh, Alfredo Rodriguez singled to left field to set up Vazquez's game-winning home run. Vazquez went 2-4 in the game with three RBIs.

With Jake Gronsky out of the lineup, the Slammers signed Nico Zych. The third baseman made an instant impact for Joliet. Zych made his presence known in the second inning with an RBI single in his first game with the Slammers.

Zych poked a ball out to right field on a 2-0 pitch to score Melvin Rodriguez and tie the game. Rodriguez drove in Joe Staley earlier in the inning on a double. Zych went 2-3 in his debut with the Slammers.

Kaleb Ort got the start for the Slammers on the mound and turned in a strong performance. Ort got the no-decision as he gave up three runs in five innings off four hits. He also struck out six batters.

The Slammers used four relief pitchers to secure the win for the Slammers. Tyler Levine, Brent Choban, Kevin Simmons, and Kevin McNorton pitched the remaining four innings. Choban earned the win and McNorton was given the save. McNorton picked up his second-straight save.

The Slammers outhit the Crushers 9-5, and the Crushers left eight men on base, which made a difference in the end. The Crushers had runners on second and third with just one out in the seventh inning but were not able to score. Five of the runners the Crushers left on base were in scoring position.

Lake Erie's inability to take advantage of having two runners in scoring position came back to hurt them as Vazquez homered in the bottom of the inning, giving the Slammers a two run lead.

Thursday's Merchants and Manufacturers player of the game is Boo Vazquez for his two home runs in the game including the game winning home run in the seventh inning.

Joliet moves to 13-11 with the win and earns the series win over the Lake Erie Crushers. They will go for their second straight sweep Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.

Thursday night's game will be the Slammers last home game until next Friday, June 17 when they host the Schaumburg Boomers. Joliet will play back-to-back road series after they finish up with the Crushers Thursday, June 9.

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Frontier League Stories from June 8, 2016


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