After sweeping the Brazos Valley Bombers in a two-game series at Driller Park, the East Texas Pump Jacks took to the road Thursday night to open a two-game series against the Bombers in Bryan.
Apparently, more than just the locations were reversed, as Brazos Valley got a measure of revenge with a 4-1 victory over the Jacks. The loss snapped the team’s three-game winning streak and dropped East Texas to three games out of first place.
The Pump Jacks opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first, the fifth straight game they have scored in the opening frame. A one-out single by the surging Keenan Duke was followed by a single by Matt Curry. When Paige Hodges added a safety of his own, Duke walked home and the Jacks were on the board.
Unfortunately, that’s all the offense East Texas would muster, ending their seven-game streak of posting at least seven runs.
The tide would turn in the third inning, when the Bombers took the lead with a two-run single off of starter Chad Sherman. Sherman (0-1) would finish the third frame but go no further in the contest. He allowed those two runs on four hits and one walk, striking out three.
Matt Shelton came on for his team-leading seventh appearance, also tied for tops in the league. Shelton would pitch effectively for three innings before running into trouble in the seventh. Brazos Valley loaded the bases with no outs on an error, a walk, and a hit batter. A fielder’s choice brought home one insurance run, and a single made it 4-1. Pat McCrory came on to get the Jacks out of the jam and then deliver a perfect eighth.
Shelton’s final numbers included 3 1/3 innings and two runs, only one of them earned. He surrendered one hit, walked one, and struck out two. McCrory went the final 1 2/3 innings, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Despite the score, the Pump Jacks actually outhit the Bombers, 7-6. East Texas was led by Duke and Curry, who each went 2-for-4.
East Texas continues its week-long road trip on Friday in Bryan with the Bombers. The Jacks will venture to Coppell over the weekend to face the Copperheads in a pair of games. After a Monday off-day, they’ll make the trip to McKinney before returning to Driller Park on Thursday, July 3.
July 3 will kick off the Pump Jacks Independence Day Weekend celebration. Thursday’s contest will be another Thirsty Thursday, with 50-cent small soft drinks. On Saturday, July 5, the Pump Jacks will host a special post-game fireworks display that is expected to surpass the awe-inspiring show fans witnessed on June 13. A special Independence Day promotion is being planned, plus the Jacks are expected to announce a new “Family Night” discount for Sunday games beginning July 6. Details will be announced as they’re finalized, so check your e-mail or log on to www.pumpjacksbaseball.com to follow all the new developments.
Tickets for the Independence Weekend celebration and the remainder of the Jacks’ inaugural season schedule are on sale now. Fans may purchase tickets at the Pump Jacks office at 1100 Stone Road, Suite 120, in Kilgore, or over the phone at (903) 218-GO ET. Tickets may also be purchased online – and printed at home on any home printer – by visiting www.pumpjacksbaseball.com.
Single-game tickets start at $5 each – or $4 for children and seniors – for grandstand general admission tickets. Upper Box seats are $8 each, and Lower Box seats, which feature in-your-seat wait service, are only $10 per ticket. |
