Fantastic Fowler Leads Slammers to Series Victory

The Slammers (20-18) exploded for five runs in the sixth inning and never looked back in their 7-3 victory over the Southern Illinois Miners (25-13) Friday night.

Neither team had a hit through the first five innings as starters Brian Fowler and Ryan Zink were outstanding.

The sixth inning started with a Miners error, one of three they made in the contest, which allowed Lee Rubin to reach.

Ben Ferrell and Bobby Leeper both lay down perfect bunt singles to load the bases with nobody out. Then with one down Josh Flores looped a single to right, driving in two for the first runs of the game.

Erik Lis followed with his team leading 29th and 30th RBI of the season on a two-run double. David Fox completed the scoring with two away as he doubled in Lis to give Joliet the 5-0 lead.

Another Miners error opened the door for the Slammers in the seventh. With two away Leeper reached on an error and Brad Netzel smacked a two-run home run to extend the advantage to 7-0.

Fowler, despite not striking out a batter, had a no-hitter through the first six innings. Southern Illinois broke it up in the seventh on a Jereme Milons single. Fowler shut the Miners back down as he got a double play and a fly out to end the inning.

The Miners did score two off Fowler in the eighth and one off reliever Brian Smith in the ninth but it wasn’t enough as the Slammers won their third road series of the year.

Fowler’s final line was eight innings, four hits, two runs, both earned, three walks and no strike outs.

The Slammers return home Saturday night as they host the Normal CornBelters starting at 6:05 p.m. Come to the yard early as the Slammers are giving away a complete set of team baseball cards.

American Idol’s Chris Medina will perform the national anthem, throw out the first pitch, and sign autographs. After the game fans who stick around will witness a spectacular fireworks show. Former Triple-A pitcher Tommy Mendoza (0-0, 3.00 ERA) is the probable starter for Joliet.