Crushers Crazy Eighth Kills Slammers

The Joliet Slammers were 37-1 when leading after six innings entering Wednesday’s game against the Lake Erie Crushers.

They’re now 37-2.

Andrew Davis hit a three run home run and the Crushers scored four in the eighth to defeat the Slammers by a score of 7-3.

With two outs and nobody on in the third, the Slammers struck first.

Brad Netzel doubled and Hector Pellot singled him home to put Joliet up 1-0.

The Crushers got two back in the fourth against Andrew Moss as Jereme Milons singled to start the frame and two outs later Jason Taylor went yard to dead center field to give Lake Erie a 2-1 edge.

Reid Chenworth responded with a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth off Lake Erie starter Thomas Campbell.

The Slammers chased Campbell and took the lead in the sixth inning.

Erik Lis and Kyle Maunus started the frame with back-to-back singles and Paul Daniels replaced Campbell. A Chenworth fielder’s choice scored Lis and it was 3-2 Slammers.

Moss went out to start the seventh inning but walked Patrick Norris to start the frame. Billy Petrick then entered the game and Norris stole second and advanced to third on a fly ball to right. A slow roller for out number two brought him home to tie the game.

Joliet threatened in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with one away. But Lis hit into a twin killing and Lake Erie was out of the jam.

Petrick ran into all sorts of trouble in the fateful eighth. He walked Milons and Rivera reached on an infield single. A Maunus throwing error allowed both runners to advance 90 feet, putting runners at second and third with nobody out.

That’s when Davis unloaded on a pitch for his 12th home run of the season. The Crushers would tack on one more run in the frame as Taylor singled, stole second, and scored on a Kellen Kulbacki single.

Every Slammers player reached base at least once in the game and they out-hit the Crushers 10-7. But the Slammers left 10 men on in the defeat.

With the loss the Slammers’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot remains at four. They’ll look to take the rubber match Thursday night as Tommy Mendoza takes the mound.