QUEBEC WATCHES IDLY AS WILD JACKALS WASTE LOBBAN’S EFFORT

Little Falls, NJ – Ryan Lobban tossed seven shutout innings, but a depleted Quebec Capitales squad plated six runs in the top of the eighth inning courtesy of six walks and a hit batter to steal a 6-5 win from the New Jersey Jackals on Friday night in front of 3,265 fans at Yogi Berra Stadium.

With a 5-0 lead, New Jersey called on reliever Mike Pontius in the eighth. Pontius, who entered the game having allowed just one run in 9 2/3 innings this season, struck out leadoff batter Rene Leveret but then walked the next four batters he faced to force in the Capitales’ first run of the game. Pontius gave way to Edward Rodriguez, who hit a batter and issued a pair of free passes as Quebec cut its deficit to 5-4. After Jackals’ manager Joe Calfapietra called on closer Romas Hicks, the Capitales tied the score on a fielders’ choice off the bat of shortstop Ivan Naccarata before Leveret dribbled an RBI single up the middle to plate what proved to be the winning run for Quebec.

The Jackals threatened in the eighth against Quebec reliever Jeremy Hunt, who began the game at designated hitter, but their attempt to tie the score was halted when second baseman Argenis Reyes was thrown out at home plate by Quebec left fielder Anthony Cross on a one-out single by center fielder Jeff Grose. Grose was immediately thrown out trying to steal second for the final out of the inning.

In the ninth, a single by designated hitter Abraham Nunez and a walk from catcher Jordan Newton placed runners on the corners with one out. However, Quebec brought in southpaw Andrew Albers who retired both batters he faced to halt the Jackals final effort.

After tossing seven shutout innings last Friday at Sussex, Lobban scattered nine hits – all singles – and held the Capitales off the board as New Jersey built a 5-0 lead through seven frames. The New Jersey native did not allow a walk while notching two strikeouts in his fourth start of the season.
In the second inning, Jackals’ shortstop Mike DeJesus laced a leadoff double to left and advanced to third on a Reyes sacrifice bunt before coming plateward on an RBI single by Grose to make it 1-0. In the third, Newton opened the frame with a double before scoring two batters late on a base hit off the bat of first baseman Jabe Bergeron as the Jackals gained a 2-0 advantage.

New Jersey tacked on three unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh on a two-out triple by Newton and an RBI single by left fielder Jacob Butler. The inning began when third baseman Jovan Rosa’s grounder went through the legs of Naccarata at short.

After Karl Gelinas started and allowed five runs (two earned) on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings for Quebec, rookie Dan Rossignol (1-0) retired the only batter he faced to contain the Jackals’ rally in the bottom of the seventh and earn his first career win. Rodriguez (2-2) took the loss for New Jersey while Hicks absorbed his second blown save of the season.

Offensively, New Jersey outhit Quebec 12-11 as Newton went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Every Jackals’ starter reached base in the contest, with Grose and right fielder Kevin Clark each collecting two hits as well. Clark’s second-inning single extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

The Capitales played the contest without three of their top hitters. Outfielder Sebastian Boucher, whose .418 average ranks second in the league, was sick and did not play. Third baseman Patrick Deschenes also missed the contest with a calf injury, and outfielder Alex Nunez is home in Venezuela awaiting the birth of his first child.

The Jackals (10-10) and Capitales (16-4) continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends right-hander Chris Allen (0-1. 6.23 ERA) to the mound against Quebec righty Matthew Rusch (2-0, 2.25 ERA). Allen was a member of the Capitales’ Can-Am League Championship team last season while Rusch will make his second start of the season after working primarily out of the bullpen. Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2010 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

Jackal Bites: The loss was the Jackals' fifth one-run defeat of the season and their tenth one-run game overall... With Brockton posting a 3-1 win against Worcester on Friday, the Jackals fall out of second place for the first time since June 6… Prior to tonight’s contest, Edward Rodriguez had inherited eight runners without allowing one to score in eight outings this season… Andrew Albers, who recorded the final two outs for the Capitales, is scheduled to start the series finale on Sunday for Quebec… Quebec left 11 runners on base while New Jersey stranded nine in the three hour, 16 minute affair… Since the Capitales joined the league in 1999, The Jackals are now 56-79 against them all-time. Quebec is the only Can-Am League foe New Jersey doesn’t have a winning record against.