Slammers Steamroll Rascals

Designated Hitter Erik Lis is known for working in the cage at times when the team is in the field. His work paid off Saturday night.

After starting the game 0-2, Lis hit a three run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the Joliet Slammers up for good as they defeated the River City Rascals 4-2.

The homer helped Andrew Moss  earn a hard fought win as he walked a tightrope all night.

River City took the early lead in the first inning. Eric Williams and Doug Sanders started the game with back-to-back singles. Williams went to third on Sanders’ single and Logan Parker drove him in with a slow roller to Hector Pellot at second base.

After Stephen Holdren drew a walk, Pellot turned a brilliant 4-3 double play to get Moss out of the inning without any further damage. It was foreshadowing what was to come.

In the second inning Jason Patton singled and Moss walked Chad Maddox. One out later the Slammers turned a 5-4-3 double play and that was that for River City’s chances in the second.

Williams singled to lead off the third and with two away stole second. But Moss struck out the league’s home run leader Stephen Holdren to get out of that jam.

With one out in the fourth Patton and Maddox singled. Then Danny Sawyer hit a ball that deflected off Moss. Pellot chased it down and stepped on the bag for one before firing to first for the third double play of the night. Moss left two River City runners stranded in the fifth.

Meanwhile River City ace Zack Sterner shut down the Slammers until the bottom of the fifth.

Sean Estand got the rally going with a single. Then Ben Hewett beat out a bunt single and Josh Flores reached on a bunt as well.

With the bases loaded and nobody out Brad Netzel smacked a sacrifice fly to tie the game at one. Then with two away Lis stepped to the plate and unloaded on a pitch to deep right center for his team leading 17th home run of the season.

Joliet native Ryan Quigley issued a one-out walk but nailed down his league leading 24th save of the year in the ninth.

With the victory the Slammers set new highs for longest winning streak at 5, games over .500 at 16, and for their lead in the East Division at six games.