Slammers Stun Rascals In Series Opener

David Fox hit a two-out, two-RBI single in the eighth inning and the Slammers rallied twice to defeat the River City Rascals by a final score of 7-6 Friday night in front of 4,105 fans at Silver Cross Field.

The win puts the Slammers a season-high 15 games over .500 and a season-high five games up in the East Division. They’ve also matched their longest win streak of the year at four games.

The Slammers only had two hits entering the eighth and trailed 6-4 but Josh Flores got things started against reliever Tony Marsala with a double down the left field line.

Brad Netzel singled him to third and Hector Pellot bunted Netzel to second. That brought up team RBI leader Erik Lis. Lis grounded out but Flores scored on the play and Netzel advanced to third.

Kyle Maunus fouled off six pitches with two strikes on him and eventually drew a 12-pitch walk to put runners at the corners.

River City brought in a lefty to face Reid Chenworth but manager Bart Zeller pinch hit with the newest Slammer: switch hitter Brandon Peters. Peters was hit by a pitch and the bases were loaded.

Fox stepped to the plate and River City brought in their closer Derrick Miramontes. Fox swung at the first pitch he saw and dropped it into left field to score two, giving Slammers had a 7-6 lead.

Joliet native Ryan Quigley allowed a two-out single in the ninth but nailed down his league leading 23rd save.