Early Offense Propels Jammers to Second Straight Win
Last night, the Jammers pitching staff carried them to their first win of the season. The trio of Marek Minarik, Andres Mendoza, and Oderman Rocha stymied the Mahoning Valley Scrappers en-route to a 4-1 victory. Today, on Father's Day on a beautiful day at Russell E. Diethrick Park, it was the Jammers offense, especially in the second inning, that carried them to their second consecutive win.
Twelve Jammers came to the plate in the bottom of the second. Six runs were scored on 5 hits, highlighted by an RBI double by designated hitter Michael Fransoso, an RBI single by left fielder Enyel Vallejo, and an RBI single by second basemen Erik Lunde.
The Jammers put up three more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Chase Simpson started the inning with a single, and would eventually score on an error by Scrappers first basemen, Juan De La Cruz. Taylor Gushue also added a 2-RBI single in the inning, continuing his torrid start to the season.
Carl Anderson, Gushue, Tyler Filliben, and Fransoso all had multiple hits to lead the Jammers 12 hit attack.
In his first career start, right-handed pitcher Tyler Eppler turned in a solid performance. He tossed three hitless innings, and struck out two. Jose Regalado then came on in relief, and followed suit, pitching three innings of scoreless ball, striking out two, and picking up the win. Julio Eusebio would then come in to throw two innings, and gave up three runs on four hits, but did manage to strike out three Scrappers. Luis Urena would pitch the final inning, allowing one run on one hit.
Mahoning Valley put up three runs in the top of the eighth, and one in the top of the ninth. Third basemen Yonathan Mendoza, and left fielder Jorge Martinez both had multiple hits for the Scrappers.
The Jammers will try to win the four game series against the Scrappers Monday morning at 11:05am. Kids from schools throughout the local community will be on hand to enjoy a day at the ball park as part of the Jamestown Jammers "School Day." The Pittsburgh Pirates 2014 10th round pick from the University of Jacksonville, Alex McRae will get the start for the Jammers. He will be opposed by Luis DeJesus, a right-handed pitcher who was an 11th round pick of the Cleveland Indians in 2011. Gates will open at 10am.