FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                     Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
August 4, 2008                                                                                       860-309-9293 cell

                                                                                jversteeg@jackhammerbaseball.com

 

JACKHAMMERS SUSPENDED IN GARY ON MONDAY

 

GARY, IN-The Joliet JackHammers and Gary SouthShore RailCats were suspended in the top of the fifth inning due to torrential rain at U.S. Steel Yard on Monday. The RailCats were leading the JackHammers 7-2. The game will resume as part of a doubleheader on Tuesday night in Gary at 5:00 p.m. The two teams will play the remaining five innings of their suspended game before battling in a seven-inning game.  

 

The JackHammers scored an unearned run in the first inning against Gary starter Tony Cogan. Steve Garrabrants was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a double by Nick McIntyre. Juan Diaz walked to load the bases for Doc Brooks, who grounded to third base.

 

3B Tanner Townsend threw the ball to home plate to force out Garrabrants. Gary catcher Anthony Esquer threw wildly to first base to allow McIntyre to score to make it 1-0 Joliet.

 

The RailCats scored six runs in the first inning by getting six consecutive hits against Joliet starter Matt Jernstad. Steve Haake hit a two-run home run to round out the first inning scoring at 6-1.

 

The JackHammers got a solo home run from Joey Gomes in the second inning. It was the 10^th home run of the season for Gomes and the JackHammers came within four runs at 6-2.

 

Gary scored another run in the second inning to take a 7-2 lead.

 

Jernstad pitched two innings and allowed seven runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out zero.

 

The JackHammers and RailCats went into a rain delay in the top of the fifth inning with one out, as McIntyre led off the inning with a double. Diaz had a 1-0 count on him against Tony Cogan before the delay began at 8:33 p.m. The game was delayed 36 minutes before being officially suspended at 9:06 p.m.

 

Loose Gravel: The JackHammers made a bevy of roster moves before Monday’s game. Joliet traded LHP David Moraga to Schaumburg for LHP Brad Mumma. Mumma comes to the JackHammers with a 6-6 record and a 5.44 ERA.

 

The JackHammers also placed C Dennis Blackmon, Jr. on the inactive list before the game because of his season-ending wrist injury suffered on Saturday against Fargo-Moorhead. The JackHammers also traded for C Jason Sherrer from the Winnipeg Goldeyes for a player to be named later. Sherrer batted .179 with no home runs and eight RBI in 30 games for Winnipeg.

 

Joliet also released LHP Dan Ziegler and signed RHP Sam Cunningham to a contract. Cunningham has not played professionally in the United States but did log time in the Australian Winter League. He is originally from Atlanta, Georgia and played college baseball at Emory University.

 

The JackHammers and RailCats will resume their series on Tuesday night at 5:00 p.m. Pre-game coverage begins at 4:45 p.m. on AM 1340 WJOL and online at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.  Both teams have yet to announce starters for the doubleheader.

 

The JackHammers currently have partial-season seats, mini-plan packages, group outings and individual tickets on sale.  To invest in tickets, or for more information, please contact the JackHammers Ticket Department TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours or visit the JackHammers website at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.

 

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