The Trenton Blue Jays were rained out on Friday and Saturday, but were able to get in their Sunday match-up with Hi Boy in Kansas City. The Blue Jays made up for missed games as Sunday’s contest turned into an extra-inning affair, going 11 frames before the ’Jays proved victorious by a score of 12-9.
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The ’Jays got on the board first, going up 1-0 in the opening frame. Trenton missed a bit of an opportunity, however, when they were unable to add to the lead despite having the bases loaded with only one out.
Hi Boy battled back with six runs in their first five innings at the plate. Trenton wasn’t done, however, and drew to within a single run in the top of the sixth with a four-run rally. Over the following three innings, the ’Jays’ offense continued to click as they pushed four more runs across the plate to carry a 9-6 lead into the bottom of the ninth.
Hi Boy put together a last gasp effort and a three-run home run over the leftfield wall, 340-feet away, tied the contest and forced extra innings. Neither team scored in the 10th, but Trenton added three to their total in the top of the 11th. Solid defense up the middle and lock-down pitching from Justin VanHoutan kept Hi Boy off the board in the bottom of the inning and the Blue Jays escaped with the victory.
VanHoutan was the winning pitcher, working an 11-inning complete game. The win was his second in five days after fanning 17 against Memphis on Wednesday. The ’Jays’ offense scored 12 runs on 12 hits. On the bases, Zack Douglas and Cadon Shonk each swiped three steals.
The Blue Jays will be back in action on Wednesday in Clinton before returning for a home stand on Saturday and Sunday at Burleigh Grimes Field.