Win Streak Snapped

LINCOLN, Neb. * The Joliet JackHammers got revenge on the Lincoln Saltdogs after going 0-for-8 against the Dogs this season. They put up 19 runs on 28 hits en route to the 19-2 victory over Lincoln. Luis Villarreal went 8 2/3 innings to pick up his fourth win of the year. He carried a shutout into the ninth inning. Humberto Cardenas took the loss going three innings and allowing five runs.

For the first time in the series, the Joliet JackHammers took a lead against the Saltdogs. A pair of one-out doubles from Matt McCay and Josh Loggins plated the first run of the game and Jayson Drobiak followed with an RBI single to center field.

Joliet scored their third run of the game in the third inning off an infield single from Jermaine Allensworth. After advancing to second he came home on a single to left field from Jayson Drobiak to give the Hammers a 3-0 lead. Matt Howe followed with a walk and they both scored on a two RBI double by Kyle Logan.

The first batter of the fourth inning, Brad Flanders, for Joliet took a full count pitch from Michael Kesten out of the park in left center field for his fourth homer of the season and a 6-0 lead for the JackHammers.

Kesten got hit hard again in the sixth inning allowing the first six batters he faced reach base. With the bases loaded, Loggins hit a bases clearing double to right center field to score three runs. After a hit batsman Adam Lesko was brought in from the bullpen. He retired the first batter he faced before Kyle Logan picked up an RBI on a single to right field. Five straight singles followed for the JackHammers in the inning to give Joliet a 12-0 lead after the top half of the sixth.

The JackHammers were able to pound out another seven runs in the final three frames to take a 19-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth. They faced six different Saltdogs pitchers on the night.

Going into the bottom of the ninth inning, Villarreal had allowed only three hits and no runs. The Saltdogs were able to break the shutout bid with two down in the ninth. Pichi Balet reached on a double and he scored after Mike Goss singled into center field. The Dogs got one more run before Matt Petrusek shut the door and finished the game for Joliet.

The 19 runs was the most ever allowed by the Saltdogs franchise and the 28 hits was also the most ever given up to an opponent. The Northern League now goes into the All-Star break with games resuming on Friday. Lincoln will face Gary in the first game after the break.

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