Boulders Dropped by Worcester, 6-4
July 6, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New York Boulders News Release
RAMAPO, New York - The Rockland Boulders bullpen was strong on Wednesday night against the Worcester Tornadoes, but it was not enough as the Boulders fell 6-4 in Can-Am League action at Provident Bank Park.
Rockland relievers pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Casey Hodges, and gave up only two hits. Newcomer Kent Worthington stood out, throwing two innings and striking out three. For Worthington, 23 of his 25 pitches were strikes.
"That's what they're supposed to do," said manager Dave LaPoint. "The relievers threw 41 pitches, 35 for strikes."
Hodges went 5 2/3 innings and gave up six earned runs, including two home runs. The loss ended Hodges' streak of three straight starts without a loss.
"I struggled to make adjustments from the get go," explained Hodges. "I missed up in the zone and got hit."
The Worcester Tornadoes (16-22) were the first to score in Wednesday night's matchup. Alex Nunez led the game off with a walk. The speedy left fielder stole second and then moved up to third on a passed ball. With runners on the corners, Mark Minicozzi singled through the hole between first and second base to plate Nunez for the first run of the game.
Sean Smith led off for the Boulders with his sixth hit-by-pitch of the season. Vic Buttler followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Cristobal Santana hit a slow roller to second base, which was enough to score Smith from third to tie the game.
The Tornadoes got that run back with back-to-back Nunez hits. Alex Nunez hit a double to left with two outs, followed by Abraham Nunez's single that brought Alex around to score and give Worcester a 2-1 lead.
That lead increased in the top of the third. After Alex Trezza doubled, Nick Salotti took a Casey Hodges breaking ball out of the ballpark in left field to increase the lead to three runs.
The Boulders chipped away at Worcester's lead in the bottom of the fourth. Ryan Mollica doubled with Scott Clement on first with one away. Ray Stokes then grounded out to shortstop, allowing Clement to score and bring the Boulders within two after four.
Once again, the Tornadoes quickly erased the Boulders run with one of their own. Cam Monger doubled with two runners on to bring in Chris Colabello to put Worcester's lead back to three.
Ryde Rodriguez produced his first RBI as a Boulder in the home half of the fifth. With the bases loaded, Rodriguez flew out to deep center, making it easy for Smith to tag from third. Clement contributed to the rally with a single to plate Santana and bring Rockland within one.
Abraham Nunez hit a solo shot in the top of the sixth that landed in the parking lot behind the right field concourse, bringing the score to 6-4 in favor of the Tornadoes.
The Boulders (15-21) will play game two of the four-game series against the Worcester Tornadoes at Provident Bank Park. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Rockland's ace Bobby Blevins (3-2) heads to the bump against Worcester's Kevin Cooper (2-0).
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