The offense got going early, striking in the top of the first inning. Patrick Lee led the game off with a single and stole second and third with nobody out for Riley Delgado. The shortstop rolled a ground ball to third, but it was enough to score Lee and Evansville was on top 1-0.
In the bottom of the frame, the fun came to an end when Victor Nova laced a two-RBI double to right-center field, putting the Slammers (2-0) ahead 2-1. They never gave up the lead after.
Joliet added their final run in the third inning. The first two men of the frame reached on errors, and one was later brought in on an RBI fielder’s choice to make it 3-1.
Offensively, the Otters (0-3) bats were quiet, leaving runners in scoring position on five separate occasions.
During the eighth inning, Jomar Reyes hit a one-out single and was later moved to third base on an error. Austin Bost capitalized with his first knock of the season, roping a ball into left field to score another run.
Trailing 3-2, scoring came to an end after Bost’s hit.
Parker Brahms (0-1) took the loss after throwing four complete innings for his 2024 debut. He surrendered all three runs (two earned) on a trio of hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Out of the bullpen, Johan Castillo pitched three scoreless frames as the first reliever. Michael McAvene made his Otters debut in the eighth and allowed no runs with one strikeout.
Evansville out-hit Joliet 8-4 but could not capitalize with their scoring chances. Lee led the way with three hits while Rosario followed suit with two.
Lee and Reyes scored the only runs, while Bost and Delago nabbed RBIs.
The Otters will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow in the series finale against the Slammers. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM CT. Coverage available on FloSports and the Otters Digital Network.
