Normal Takes Series Finale from Joliet

(Joliet, IL) – The Normal CornBelters scored twice in the first inning and six more in the seventh as they beat the Joliet Slammers 8-0 Monday night.

Joliet (22-19) starter Jake Renshaw was the victim of some poor defense in the first inning. With one away Frank Martinez reached on an error by second baseman Ben Ferrell. Daniel Cox followed with a line drive that Ferrell probably should have come up with but it went into right field for a single.

Then with two away a passed ball moved both runners up 90 feet. Normal took advantage as Mike Mobbs lined a two-RBI single up the middle.

Renshaw was stellar for the next five innings, at one point retiring 14 batters in a row. But the seventh inning burned him and the Slammers.

Mobbs got things started with a double. A Jeff Dunbar single moved him to third. Tyler Keeble singled in Mobbs to make it 3-0. After a sacrifice bunt, Alvaro Ramirez chased Renshaw with a singled to score Dunbar.

Chris Pack entered the game in relief and was greeted by Frank Martinez's RBI grounder for the second out. Then three straight singles from the CornBelters scored the final two runs, giving Normal (23-19) an 8-0 lead. Chuck Lukanen got the final out but the damage was done.

Meanwhile, the Slammers offense had no answers for Tyler Lavigne (3-5). He walked four and gave up three hits but Joliet left 10 men stranded in the contest.

Trey Manz had a couple of hits but the Slammers only managed four in the game.

The Slammers welcome Southern Illinois to town Tuesday night for a three-game series. Former major league pitcher Billy Petrick (2-6, 4.63 ERA) is on the mound.

It’s Two-fer Tuesday so fans can get two sodas for the price of one. It’s also Library Appreciation Night as Playing with the Enemy author Gary Moore will be on hand. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.