QUEBEC HANDS NEW JERSEY WORST LOSS OF SEASON IN SERIES OPENER

Quebec City, QUE – Sometimes a change of scenery is necessary to snap out of a rut, turn over a new leaf or get back on track. After losing three straight at home, a road series seemed like the best thing for the New Jersey Jackals, a chance to get away from the familiar surroundings of Yogi Berra Stadium and back in the win column. The old maxim failed to materialize into a victory on Friday night though as the Jackals suffered their worst loss of the season, falling 16-2 at the hands of the Quebec Capitales.

With left-hander Isaac Pavlik on the mound, all seemed to be in working order for the Jackals as the veteran surrendered just one run on three hits through his first four innings on the mound. The bottom fell out in the fifth though as both Pavlik (5-5) and the Jackals defense would struggle through an explosive seven-run inning from the Capitales. The first four batters of the inning – catcher Patrick D’Aoust, right fielder Sebastien Boucher, center fielder Goef Tomlinson and second baseman Josh Colafemina would all reach base. After D’Aoust and Boucher reached on a single and walk respectively, Tomlinson pushed a bunt down the first base line that was botched by Jackals first baseman Myron Leslie to load the bases. Moments later, Colafemina hit a grounder to shortstop Mike DeJesus who misplayed the ball, letting it ricochet off his glove into left field, allowing two runs to score and making it a 3-0 contest at that point. Third baseman Pat Deschenes and first baseman Eddie Lantigua would each record RBIs, Deschenes on a single and Lantigua on a sacrifice fly to right field. After Pavlik walked left fielder Alex Nunez and designated hitter Douglas Toro to load the bases, D’Aoust lifted a routine fly ball to left field that looked like the final out of the inning. New Jersey left fielder Ryan Rogowski appeared to have the ball lined up, before losing it in the lights at the last second and failing on a diving attempt. Two more runs came in on the third error of the inning against the Jackals and when the dust settled, it was 8-0 heading into the sixth inning.

Quebec would score four more runs in the seventh off of reliever Steve Shepard. The right-hander, after striking out two batters and hitting another, surrendered a single to D’Aoust, before walking the next five consecutive hitters he faced. Shepard fired several wild pitches with the bases loaded that allowed runners to advance and score. In the eighth, with left-hander Mark Suchowiecki getting his turn on the mound, it was more of the same. The Capitales plated four more runs - courtesy of RBIs from Tomlinson, Colafemina, shortstop Ivan Naccarata and Deschenes – to set the final run total for the home team.

The Jackals for their part pushed a run across in the sixth on a DeJesus sac-fly and another in the seventh when third baseman Mike Scanzano scored on a fielder’s choice by second baseman Marcus Sanders. Both runs came off Quebec starter Dan Sausville, who held New Jersey to two runs on five hits in seven innings on the mound, to improve his record to 6-3.

In the offensive attack for Quebec, all nine position players reached base and eight were on multiple times on a night when the Jackals pitching staff issued eleven walks. Five players scored at least twice for the Capitales.

Also of note, outfielder Timo Perez made his debut with the Jackals, getting the start in right field and going 0-for-4 with a pair of ground outs and a pair of fly outs.

New Jersey and Quebec will continue their series tomorrow night with left-hander Sean Thompson taking the mound for the Jackals and former NL Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne getting the baseball for Quebec. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game from Quebec at www.jackals.com. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. with the pre-game show starting 10 minutes prior.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. The Jackals have clinched the 2009 Can-Am League first-half title and an automatic berth in the playoffs, which begin on September 9. Playoff and regular season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.Jackals.com.