A day after being shutout for the first time in 2010, the East Texas Pump Jacks needed some way to get runners on and around the bases.
On a night when the two teams combined for just nine hits, four McKinney errors, including three in the decisive seventh inning, went a long way in the Pump Jacks’ 4-1 win Tuesday over the Marshals at historic Driller Park.
The East Texas pitching staff held up their end of the bargain, striking out 12 Marshals and walking just three.
The bottom of the seventh inning began in a 1-1 tie with Michael Haynes at the dish. He swung and missed on a 1-2 pitch, but the ball bounced to the backstop, allowing Haynes to reach first base safely. Jarid Scarafiotti followed with a high bounder that the Marshals’ first baseman bobbled, so the Pump Jacks had two on with no one out.
After a strikeout, Aaron McCain hit a hard grounder to short. Had the shortstop made the play, the inning would have ended harmlessly on a double play. Facing the Pump Jacks’ pressure, however, the shortstop allowed the ball to scoot through his legs for another error and the bases were juiced.
Jesse Santo was the man to make McKinney pay. Santo hit a bounding ball just inside the third base line which got past the reach of third baseman Patrick Palmeiro. When the dust settled, Haynes and Scarafiotti had scored, McCain was at third and Santo was standing on second base with a double.
One out later, Alex Fuselier swung and missed on two strikes, but again the ball rolled through the catcher’s legs. Fuselier reached first despite the strikeout, the second such occurrence in the inning, and McCain crossed the plate with the third run of the frame and a 4-1 lead for East Texas.
McKinney opened the scoring in the top of the first, when the Marshals tapped Kyle Martin for a 1-0 lead.
The Pump Jacks tied the game at one in the fifth inning. Scarafiotti drew a one-out walk and advanced to second base on McCain’s single. He was driven in when Santo lined a single up the middle.
Martin settled down, finishing with five K’s and just two walks in five innings before being replaced by John Walter. Martin, Walter, and Garrett Methvin, who entered in the seventh, combined to hold McKinney hitless from the fourth through seventh innings.
Methvin struck out the side in the seventh inning and K’d one more in the eighth for four strikeouts. The Longview native earned the win to improve to 2-1 on the season.
With the 4-1 ninth-inning lead, Dusty Ross was brought on for the save opportunity. He gave up a booming double to Boomer Collins before striking out two and inducing a harmless fly ball to end the game for his third save.
The Marshals return to Driller Tuesday night for their third game in East Texas in four nights. Pump Jacks Dollar Days are also back on Tuesday, when regular drinks, regular hot dogs and popcorn are just $1 for everyone in attendance!
The Pump Jacks travel to McKinney on Wednesday, but they return home for another popular Pump Jacks promotion: Thirsty Thursday presented by 96X. Beat the heat with 12-ounce draft beers for just one dollar and regular soft drinks for only 50 cents! Enjoy discounted drinks while the Jacks tangle with the Texas Tomcats on Thirsty Thursday presented by 96X.
The Tomcats stay in town for another night, and for good reason: Fireworks Friday presented by KLTV News. The Pump Jacks will light up the night sky with a spectacular post-game fireworks display Friday night, set to a brand-new soundtrack. Fireworks Friday presented by KLTV News always impresses, so don’t miss it!
East Texas closes out the homestand next Saturday, June 26, with another Saturday Giveaway. Join the Jacks as they face the defending TCL champion North Texas Copperheads, but come early for your chance to walk away with some valuable gear.
Pump Jacks Nation is now on Facebook! Visit the East Texas Pump Jacks official team page on Facebook to follow all the news and gossip about the Pump Jacks, post your thoughts on the Jacks 2010 season, upload photos, and interact with other fans. Plus, the Jacks will post specials and discounts just for the Facebook community on the page! Click the link on the left side of the Pump Jacks web site or at the top of every news article on the site, and join Pump Jacks Nation on Facebook!
The Pump Jacks are still seeking families to host players. Hosting a player is a great experience that forges a lifelong bond with a young man, a relationship that transcends the game of baseball. Host families also receive free season tickets for every member of their household. If you’re interested in finding out more about the host family program, please contact the Pump Jacks at (903) 218-GO ET or [email protected].
To follow all Pump Jacks news, including player awards, game stories and promotions, log on to the team’s official Website at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com.