Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

Another Close Call

Crushers drop another tight contest in 4-2 loss to Joliet

Box Link: https://frontierleague.com/sports/bsb/2021-22/boxscores/20220611_b78k.xml

AVON, Ohio — The Lake Erie Crushers were on the wrong end of a close contest for the fourth time on their current home stand, as they fell to the Joliet Slammers, 4-2 on Saturday night at Mercy Health Stadium.

For the Crushers (10-16) the loss was their fourth straight, with all four games being decided by two runs or less. The victory for the Slammers (15-12) was their sixth in a row.

While there weren’t many runs scored, the action was fast and furious in the first inning. Kyle Jacobsen began the game with double into the right field corner, and came around to score the game’s first run on Scott Holzwasse’s RBI single.

Lake Erie plated their only two runs with two outs in the bottom of the third. Alonzo Jones was able to draw a two out walk and he scored moments later on Kenen Irizarry’s RBI double to the gap in right center. Jackson Valera followed with a run scoring single to right which plated Irizarry to give the Crushers a 2-1 lead.

Joliet was able to tie the game in the top of the sixth. Jacobsen started the inning with a single to right and scored on a two out double from Brylie Ware to tie the game at 2-2.

The Slammers took the lead for good in the top of the seventh when Phillip Steering hit a solo homer to left, his fifth of the season. They added one last run in the top of the ninth when Steering scored on a wild pitch.

The pitching was terrific once again. Julio Vivas didn’t factor into the decision, but he allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out three batters over six strong innings. Tanner Kiest (1-0) picked up the win for Joliet after tossing three scoreless innings of no hit relief. Chandler Brierley (2) scored the save after tossing a scoreless ninth inning. Ean Walda (0-2) suffered the loss for the Crushers after allowing a run on one hit over one inning in relief.

Irizarry and Valera paced the Crushers offensively at the top of the order with two hits each. Connor Owings didn’t have any hits but he walked three times. Rodney Tennie went 1-for-3 with a walk and has now hit safely in five straight games and he’s reached safely in his last eight.

The Crushers and Slammers will finish their three game series at Mercy Health Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The pitching matchup has not been announced and the first pitch is scheduled for 2:05 PM.