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11/07/2010 19:17
 Box Score
Baseball is a game of numbers. And when the East Texas Pump Jacks meet the Brazos Valley Bombers, that number is one.
Entering Saturday, all three games between the two squads in the 2010 campaign had been decided by one run. The only Pump Jack victory in that trio was the 1-0 win Friday night, when Lee Orr’s fourth-inning homer provided all of the offense.
The Pump Jacks looked like they might break that streak Saturday night at historic Driller Park, posting four early runs, but the Bombers clawed back to earn another one-run victory, 6-5.
Kyle Martin had a dominant start for the Pump Jacks, tossing five innings and allowing two unearned runs on three hits. He opened in dominant fashion, striking out the first four batters he faced on his way to six for the game. The defense also offered up its support, ending the third and fifth frames with double plays.
Meanwhile, the Pump Jack bats were coming alive. Michael Haynes opened the third by beating out a slow bouncer. Orr lined a single to center, and Alex Fuselier laid down a perfect bunt and beat the throw to first to load the bases. Zac Fisher stepped up and crushed a drive to right field, but it was tracked down a few feet short of the wall as Haynes tagged and scored from third base.
A hit batter and strikeout later, Aaron McCain dumped a double perfectly into left-center field to score Orr and Fuselier for a 3-0 lead.
The fourth inning was more of the same. Haynes was hit by a pitch and advanced to second when Orr walked. Fisher stepped up with two out and drove a single to again bring Haynes across the plate.
The tide turned in the sixth inning, when Brazos Valley knocked out Martin with a pair of unearned runs. When the Bombers surprised East Texas with three more runs in the seventh, all of the sudden, the Pump Jacks were playing catch-up.
Brazos added an insurance run in the eighth for a 6-4 advantage, a margin that became important as the Pump Jacks put together a ninth-inning rally.
Haynes led off with a walk, his fourth time reaching base on the night. Orr walked, and Fuselier moved the tying runs into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.
TCL RBI leader Fisher stepped up with one out and a chance to tie the contest with a single. He helped the cause with another sacrifice fly, this time to left field. Fisher’s three RBI puts him at 19 for the season. He drove in Haynes all three times.
Unfortunately for the Jacks, Matt Carvutto went down on a controversial strikeout call with the tying run on second, ending the game.
The defeat evened the Pump Jacks’ record in the second half at 1-1 and dropped them to 15-12 on the season. East Texas is just one game behind in the second half chase, but the Jacks are currently in line to earn the second wild card berth for the playoffs.
The Pump Jacks travel back to Bryan on Sunday for a game against the Bombers before heading to Weimar for a Monday match against the Texas Tomcats.
After a day off, the Pump Jacks return to East Texas on Wednesday against the Bombers for the return of Boudain Wednesday presented by Hebert’s Specialty Meats. Fans can enjoy the spice of boudain sausage for just $2 each. The next night is another Thirsty Thursday presented by 96X. Cheer on the Jacks against the North Texas Copperheads while enjoying draft beers for one dollar and regular soft drinks for just 50 cents!
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!
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.
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