Boulders Fall After Jackals Comeback, 8-7

The Rockland Boulders jumped out to a big lead, but were unable to hold it once again as the New Jersey Jackals stormed back to win, 8-7, on Saturday night in Can-Am League action in Little Falls, NJ.

Boulders starter John Muller recovered nicely from a rough first start by throwing 6 2/3 innings and giving up three runs while striking out 11 batters, but his bullpen gave up the lead by giving up five runs in the eighth inning. Argenes Reyes gave New Jersey the lead with an RBI single to cap off the late rally.

The Boulders stormed out to another quick start Saturday night after four straight hits from the heart of the order led to two runs in the top of the first inning.

The Boulders kept rolling in the second after an Eric Flynn double and Sean Smith triple knocked in another three runs for Rockland. John Fitzpatrick, getting the start as the designated hitter, added his first home run of the season in the third to put the Boulders up 6-0.

Rockland could not be stopped early and held a 7-0 lead after four innings. The Boulders compiled 14 hits in those four innings, chasing Jackals’ starter A.J. Wideman from the mound. The Jackals took those four innings to get their first base hit of the game.

New Jersey (4-4) put together another nine hits in their last four at bats, which led to the eight runs that would give the Jackals the win.

Rockland pitchers have fanned 27 Jackal hitters in the first two games of this series, while the offense has strung together 31 hits and 18 runs.

Relief pitching has been an issue in both games against New Jersey. The Boulders’ bullpen has given up 9 runs in 5 1/3 innings making it difficult for Rockland to hold on to its early leads in games one and two.

Game three between Rockland (5-4) and New Jersey takes place this afternoon with the first pitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m. from Yogi Berra Stadium. Casey Hodges (1-0) will be on the bump for the Boulders, while Isaac Pavlik (1-0) takes the hill for the Jackals.