Kyle Arjona shutout the Joliet Slammers for the second time this season, fanning nine in a two-hitter as the Schaumburg Boomers captured the opener of a six-game roadtrip with a 5-0 decision.
Arjona allowed a first inning double and then did not surrender another hit until the ninth inning. The Boomers gave Arjona all the help he would need by scoring five times in the top of the second. Nick Ames led off with a walk and Clint Hardy followed with a single. Alec Craig drew a one-out walk to load the bases before Matt McGarry cleared them with a three-run double. Chase Dawson and Quincy Nieporte also added RBI singles in the inning. Arjona did not allow a baserunner from the second into the ninth, sitting down 20 consecutive Joliet batters before a one-out double in the ninth.
Arjona threw 118 pitches and became the first pitcher in franchise history to log two complete game shutouts in a season for the Boomers. Arjona also shutout Joliet at Wintrust Field on June 8. The opening night starter for the Boomers is 3-0 against Joliet this season, allowing just one run in 24 innings.
McGarry finished with two hits as the Boomers totaled six in the game while drawing six walks along with a hit by pitch and a pair of stolen bases. Ames walked three times. Schaumburg had runners on base in seven different innings as eight of the nine reached base. Schaumburg owns four shutouts this year, tied for the most in the league. The shutout was the first of the year away from Wintrust Field.
The Boomers (15-12) continue the series on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. with LHP Andrew Dean (1-2, 5.48) on the hill while the Joliet Slammers have yet to announce a starter. The Boomers will return home for Independence Day weekend. Visit www.boomersbaseball.com for tickets and information or call 847-461-3695.