Jay, Kravetz help Illini to sweep. Ten straight wins and now, first place!

John Kravetz and Tyler Jay combine for Illini’s tenth straight

On Monday evening, #11 Illinois pitchers John Kravetz and Tyler Jay combined to shut down the Purdue Boilermakers in a pitchers’ duel.  The winning run came in the seventh with the help from the Purdue defense when Jason Goldstein scored on a throwing error by the Boilermaker shortstop.   Jay who threw the last four innings, got the win.  His fifth win of the year ties him with Kevin Duchene and Drasen Johnson for the team lead.  Jay’s 0.71 ERA is now the second best in the nation besting Duchene who had that honor before the game with his 0.75 mark. 

The win today gives Illinois (29-6-1) a sweep for the weekend in front of a Big Ten Network audience.  Not only that, they have won their tenth game in a row AND are now tied for first place in the Big Ten with Iowa with a 8-1 conference record. 

 

 

Reid Roper crosses the plate in the fourth inning

Today’s game was all about the pitching but give some credit to Reid Roper who has come through with some key hits all weekend.  Tonight, he hit his second triple against Purdue and scored on a groundout by Pat McInerney.  Roper was 2 for 3 for the day. 

But again, today was about the pitching.  Starter John Kravetz gave up a solo homerun in the second inning but that was all the offense the Purdue lineup would see all game.  He struck out four and walked one in five innings. 

We hadn’t seen Tyler Jay all weekend and what better time to use him than a 1-1 game.  Tyler Jay isn’t a stranger to long outings and he did fantastic in his four inning appearance.  He allowed just one hit and kept the Boilermakers scoreless while striking out four. 

 

 

Random Ramblings

Photos from today’s game are up in the IBR photo gallery.

Worth mentioning…. Illinois only had one more hit than Purdue all weekend yet they swept them.  The good guys just knew how to capitalize on their success.  Again, clutch. 

The 10-game winning streak is the longest active winning streak in the country.

Also, Jason Goldstein’s single in the seventh inning extends his hitting streak to a current team high 11 games.  

Next up

Take a break local fans.  The Illini travel to Duffy Bass Field in Normal to play Illinois State Redbirds on Tuesday.  Game time is 4:30pm if you want to follow along on Gametracker or listen.   

Way to go, Illini!