Slammers Stage Big Rally But Can't Make Up Deficit

The Rockford RiverHawks (14-22) scored six runs in the fourth inning to take the lead for good as they beat the Joliet Slammers (18-17) by a final score of 10-6 Monday afternoon.

It was Joliet taking the early lead as John Wagle singled to get the game started. After a grounder moved Wagle to second, Josh Flores singled him home to make it 1-0 Slammers.

Rockford responded against Slammers starter Tommy Mendoza in the bottom of the first. With one away David Cooper drew a walk. He stole second and a Jake Eigsti single moved him to third. Jeremy Hamilton's sacrifice fly tied the game 1-1.

Mendoza went three innings as he was on a strict pitch count and gave up three hits, one run, walked two and struck out two.

Joliet took the lead again in the third. With one away Flores smoked a double. Erik Lis singled him home for his team-leading 28^th RBI of the season.

Kevin Crimmel (3-2) entered the game in the fourth and did not fare well. Matt Greener singled and Cameron Satterwhite drew a walk. Reno Malay then put down a beautiful bunt to load the bases.

Greg Van Horn singled in two runners and, one out later, David Cooper hit a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2. After Crimmel intentionally walked Eigsti, Hamilton came up large with a two-run double. Luis Parache singled in another run and when the dust cleared it was 7-2 Rockford.

 The Slammers mounted a furious rally against Brett Scarpetta in the fifth. Flores singled to start the frame. Lis drew a walk and two outs later Kyle Maunus singled home Flores. Lis took third on the play and Maunus hustled to second.

With two strikes, Ben Hewett beat out an infield single to score Lis. Then Bobby Leeper delivered the big blow with a double down the left field line. Two runs scored and Leeper advanced to third on the throw home. He was stranded, though, as John Wagle struck out.

Down only one, the Slammers were unable to score any more runs in the game. Meanwhile, Rockford would slowly add to their lead.

The RiverHawks scored one in the sixth on a solo home run from Jake Eigsti. Luis Parache doubled to lead off the seventh and Greener singled him home. They completed the scoring when David Cooper scored on a wild pitch.

With the loss, the Slammers stay 2 1/2 games out of first place in the East Division as Windy City lost Monday as well.

Joliet has Tuesday off before starting a three-game series with the Southern Illinois Miners on Wednesday.