Nickerson Goes The Distance In Erie Win

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Nickerson Goes The Distance In Erie Win
08/04/2009 10:51 PM ET

The SeaWolves, backed by a complete game gem from starter Jonah Nickerson, took down the New Britain Rock Cats 7-2 on Tuesday night at Jerry Uht Park to win their second straight game.
The 'Wolves jumped ahead of New Britain starter Matt Fox in the bottom of the first inning. Andy Dirks led off with a single to right and stole second for his 11th steal of the season. Fox would retire the next two hitters before giving up a base knock to center off the bat of Casper Wells, scoring Dirks for a 1-0 lead. Alex Avila then drew a walk brining Michael Bertram to the plate. Bertram delivered with a three-run home run, his second, over the wall in right for a 4-0 'Wolves advantage. Bertram has now hit safely in all six games since joining Erie.
The 'Wolves extended the lead to six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brennan Boesch singled with one out for his team-lead 106th hit. He then stole second with his seventh steal of the season. With two outs, Avila drew his second walk of the game bringing up Bertram. Bertram singled home Boesch for a 5-0 lead, picking up his fourth RBI of the night. Santo De Leon then lifted a single to center, scoring Avila for the 6-0 lead.
New Britain would get on the board in the top of the fifth against Nickerson. Matt Moses led off with a single to center and with two outs, Mark Grudzielanek singled to put a pair on for Brian Dinkelman. Dinkelman doubled home both baserunners, cutting the 'Wolves lead down to four runs at 6-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, the 'Wolves added a seventh two-out run as Cale Iorg homered to left off of reliever Spencer Steedley. Iorg has now homered in two straight games and has 11 long balls on the season.
The five-run lead would be more than enough for Nickerson who could not be stopped. From the sixth inning on, he allowed just two baserunners and induced a game-ending fly ball of the bat of Moses to complete the game.
Nickerson improved to 8-8 picking up his first complete game win since May 23, 2008 with Lakeland against Jupiter. He allowed two runs on eight hits with no walks and no strikeouts. It was his first win since July 10 and it was also Erie's first nine-inning complete game of the season.
The win, coupled with a Reading loss, brings the 'Wolves to within a game of the wildcard leading R-Phils.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.