07/23/2004 2:42 PM - JOLIET, Ill. - Behind eight innings of scoreless ball from ace lefty Brian Mazone (8-2), the Joliet JackHammers (3-4, 27-28) defeated the Kansas City T-Bones (3-5, 23-33) 8-3 in front of 3,591 at Silver Cross Field in Joliet, Ill.

Mazone, who extended his scoreless streak to 26 innings before surrendering three runs to the T-Bones in the top of the ninth inning, was dominant in striking out seven, at one point retiring thirteen T-Bones in a row.

Joliet got on the board in the first, the big blow coming off the bat of Josh Loggins, who socked his fourteenth homer of the season to make it 3-0. A Dan Firlit double in the fourth scored Gabby Delgado, who had tripled.

Matt McClellan (3-4) worked five innings for Kansas City in the loss, matching his season high with seven strikeouts. McClellan gave way to reliever David Viane, who allowed three unearned runs in the sixth inning before giving way to lefty Ryan Hader (Maple Woods JC). Hader allowed one run in two innings of work while walking three.

Kansas City got on the board with three in the top of the ninth, sending Mazone to the showers. Chris LePine's fielder's choice plated a run for Kansas City, as did Mike Brown's single to right, but it wasn't enough to overcome the fine pitching performance of Mazone.

Game Notes: Chris LePine stole his seventh base of the season for the T-Bones in as many attempts... Hader was signed before the game by Kansas City. A former Twin farmhand, Hader held batters to a .155 average in the Appalachian League in 2003... Loggins' 14th homer ties him with Eddie Pearson for the league lead... RHP Jonathan Krysa (5-6, 3.24) opposes Joliet RHP Rich Hyde (8-2, 2.78) tomorrow at 7:05 pm... The game will be broadcast live on www.tbonesbaseball.com and All Comedy Radio KCKN 1340.