Bears Drop Opening Day To Rockland In 10
May 26, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, N.J. May 26, 2011 - Tommy Giles led off the top of the 10th inning with his fourth single of the game, then came around to score on a wild pitch, keying a six-run rally, helping the Rockland Boulders to win the first game in the franchise's history, an 11-5 win over the Newark Bears Thursday afternoon in the Can-Am League opening game for both teams at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
Giles delivered his fourth single and later scored on a wild pitch by Bears reliever Anthony Pluta, who suffered the loss. Ryan Mollica delivered a run -scoring single in the rally, while Norm Hutchins and former Bear Todd Jennings also had RBI in the rally.
Michael Gardner pitched three scoreless innings to gain the win for Rockland.
Other than Giles, Hutchins had three hits, including a homer and two RBI for the winners.
The Bears were paced by Danny Santiesteban, who had three hits and two RBI and Brian Nichols, who had three hits, including two doubles, and one RBI.
The Bears wasted little time jumping on Boulders' starting pitcher Bobby Blevins, scoring three times in the home first inning. Leadoff hitter Kyle LaMotta got the rally going with a walk, then stole second base. Former major leaguer Brandon Watson then singled to center, scoring LaMotta with the first run. Nichols then followed with a long double to centerfield, scoring Watson, pushing the lead to 2-0. Santiesteban drove in Nichols with a single up the middle, making the score 3-0 in the first.
The Boulders got on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning, when Norm Hutchins doubled to center and came around to score on Giles' single to right.
The Bears added a run in the home second without the benefit of a hit, when Paddy Matera walked, moved to second when Billy Alvino was hit by a pitch and to third on LaMotta's sacrifice bunt. Madera then scored on a double play, giving the Bears a 4-1 lead.
The Boulders then took the lead in the top of the fifth, scoring four runs off Bears starter Jesse Estrada, ending his day. Jamel Lomack started the rally with a single and after Mollica reached on an error, Vic Buttler unleashed a three-run homer to deep right field, tying the game at 4-4. One out later, Hutchins followed with a homer to the opposite field in left that just managed to sneak around the foul pole for the go-ahead run, putting Rockland in front, 5-4.
The Bears then tied the score in the bottom of the seventh, when Tim Raines, Jr. walked, stole second and came around to score on Santiesteban's second RBI single of the game.
The Bears and Boulders resume their four-game series Friday morning at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium with an 11 a.m. start. Jacob Wild will take the start for the Bears.
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Canadian American League Stories from May 26, 2011
- Tornadoes Drop Season Opener in Brockton, 3-1 - Worcester Tornadoes
- Can-Am League Game Recaps - Can-Am
- Colonials Drop Opener - Pittsfield Colonials
- Jackals Roll Past Colonials for Opening-Night Win - New Jersey Jackals
- Stellar Pitching Leads Rox To 3-1 Opening Night Win - Brockton Rox
- Boulders Victorious in Season Opener - New York Boulders
- Bears Drop Opening Day To Rockland In 10 - Newark Bears
- Can-Am League Early Game Recap - Can-Am
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