Slammers Break Out of Slump

The Joliet Slammers survived three Evansville home runs as Yasel Gutierrez tallied three hits and Ben Hewett drove in three runs in a 5-3 victory Friday night at Silver Cross Field.

Evansville took the early 2-0 lead via the long ball in the first. Lead-off hitter Greg Burns smacked the first homer of the game. Joe Spiers walked but was caught stealing by Ben Hewett at second base. It was a good thing too as the next batter Jamar Walton also went deep for Evansville. Starter Jake Renshaw settled down after that and got out of the inning without any further damage.

The Slammers struck back in the second. With one away Kris Kasarjian singled and Yasel Gutierrez got his first professional hit in his first professional at bat to put runners at first and second. Then with two away Ben Hewett delivered a clutch two-RBI single to tie the game.

The runs stopped for a couple innings until Evansville regained the lead in the fifth on a solo homer by PJ Sequeira. For the Otters it was their third homer of the game and their sixth of the season. The Slammers wouldn’t let the lead last as Brad Netzel started the bottom of the fifth with a single.

After Bobby Leeper reached on a fielder’s choice, Hector Pellot doubled to put runners at second and third. That’s when Erik Lis crushed a ball to center field that Greg Burns dropped. Lis was safe at second base and Leeper scored. Nick Ochoa followed with a RBI single but Lis was thrown out at home. Nonetheless the Slammers had the 4-3 lead.

Gutierrez smacked his third hit of the game in the sixth as he doubled to start the inning. The Slammers bunted him to third and Hewett drove him in with a ground-out as Joliet got some nice insurance.

Meanwhile Renshaw gutted out 6 2/3rd innings, scattering five hits, giving up the three runs, all earned, walking four and striking-out four as well.

The bullpen for Joliet was excellent as Aaron Dott tossed an inning and a third of shutout ball and Joliet native Ryan Quigley survived two walks in the ninth inning to pick up his fourth save of the year. Hewett drove in three runs in the win and Gutierrez went 3-4 in his pro debut, scoring two runs to help the Slammers break their three game losing streak.

The Slammers and the Otters square off in game two of the three game set Saturday night with a 6:05 p.m. start time. The game will not be on Slammers radio but you can follow along on the team’s Twitter page at www.twitter.com/jolietslammers. Andrew Moss (0-1, 3.55 ERA) will be on the bump for the Slammers.