Crushers Run Away Late To Down Slammers

The Lake Erie Crushers scored five unanswered runs as they took the rubber match from the Slammers by a score of 7-2 Thursday night.

With the loss, the Slammers’ lead in the East Division is 5.5 games with nine to play.

It was a back and forth battle to start the game as Lake Erie took the early lead against Slammers starter Tommy Mendoza.

With one out in the first Jodam Rivera was hit by a pitch. Andrew Davis followed with a sharp single to right. Then with two away Kellen Kulbacki doubled home both runners to give Lake Erie a 2-0 edge.

The Slammers responded in the bottom of the first. With two down Hector Pellot was hit by a pitch and Erik Lis doubled him home to cut the lead in half.

Trey Manz doubled to start the third and Josh Flores bunted him over to third. Brad Netzel struck out but it was a wild pitch and Manz scored on the play as Netzel advanced to first.

With the game tied at two, the Crushers took the lead for good in the fifth. Then Lake Erie ran away with the game against Joliet’s bullpen.