05/24/2005 10:46 PM - Click here to view the box score.

With single runs in the first, second and fifth innings, the Joliet JackHammers built a 3-0 lead against the Kansas City T-Bones. In spite of a two-run single off the bat of rookie third baseman Brandon Jones, the T-Bones couldn't get any closer than 3-2 and fell by a final margin of 4-2.

Caleb Balbuena made his first start of the season for the T-Bones, and hit rough waters in the first two frames, allowing a first-inning run-scoring single by Matt McCay to score Kyle Logan, who had doubled. In the second, Joliet posted another run when Dan Underwood doubled in John Lackaff.

Joliet tallied an unearned run in the fifth inning when Jayson Drobiak singled in Logan, who had singled and advanced to second on an errant pickoff from Balbuena.

In the sixth, Kansas City scored their only two runs of the game against starter Brian Bulger, who struck out eight in his first start of the season. Three consecutive singles loaded the bases, and Jones' single plated Sean Flynn and Eddie Pearson. Those would be the only runs of the game for the T-Bones, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

David Viane worked two scoreless innings in relief for the T-Bones, and J.C. Ortiz allowed only an unearned run in the eighth inning. Amad Stephens came on in relief for Joliet and earned a two-inning save.

Notes: As a precautionary measure, Ray Brown left the game in the fifth inning after being hit by a Bulger pitch in the first inning... Flynn took Brown's spot in the order and Matt Ceriani moved from behind the dish to first base... Brandon Jones had two hits in a game for the second time this season.