Boulders Walk off with a Win, Literally (4-3)
July 21, 2012 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
The Rockland Boulders led only once during Saturday night's game at Provident Bank Park: when Billy Alvino trotted home in the ninth to make a 4-3 final.
The Boulders staged a two-out rally against Matt McDonald, who had tossed a six-pitch, six-strike 1-2-3 inning against the home team earlier in the night.
Alvino hit an 0-2 pitch just out of the reach of Cam Kneeland for a base hit. Jose Reyes walked on four pitches, then Chris Valencia worked an eight-pitch base on balls. Qualon Millender jumped ahead 3-0 in the count, fouled a pair of pitches off, and eventually earned the game-winning RBI on an eight-pitch walk of his own, the second walk all game for the Rockland right fielder.
The Tornadoes led on two separate occasions in the contest, taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Johnny Welch singled to start the inning. Alex Nunez popped out before Kneeland reached with a walk. Mike Samela was retired on a running catch by Valencia, then Tony Patane gave Worcester its first lead with a single to score Welch. Cam Monger reached first base on an error by Reyes, his first of two miscues in the game. On the play, Kneeland came in to score and make it 2-0 Tornadoes.
The Boulders responded with a solo homer by their third baseman, Phil Cuadrado, leading off the bottom of the inning.
Two innings later, former Tornadoes second baseman Brandon Pinckney hit an RBI double to tie the game, with Ryan Scoma scoring all the way from first base. Pinckney was thrown out at home when Ryan Mollica singled, ending the inning on the 7-2 putout for Ryan Brockett in left.
Pinckney was traded to the Boulders early Saturday morning for a player to be named later. The Tornadoes initially wanted former Brockton Rox slugger Melvin Falu, one of the best hitters in the history of the Can-Am League. Falu-- who had played just eight games this season-- elected to retire instead, so the Tornadoes will get another player instead in the future.
Worcester took its second lead of the game on the second Welch homer of the series in the fifth.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Ryan Scoma doubled, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, and came in to tie it at three apiece on the Mollica groundout.
Each starting pitcher tossed seven innings, getting a no decision despite giving up just three runs. All three that Dan Sausville allowed were earned, though he picked up a pair of strikeouts and added three 1-2-3 innings (including his last frame).
Game four of the series is Sunday at 5:05pm EST, with Kevin Cooper battling former Major League starting pitcher and notable Toronto Blue Jay Gustavo Chacin. Coverage on USTREAM.tv begins at 4:50.
Canadian American League Stories from July 21, 2012
- Game Two Of Doubleheader Suspended With Jackals Trailing 3-0 - New Jersey Jackals
- Rockland Beats Worcester 4-3 on Walk-Off Walk - New York Boulders
- Rockland Beats Worcester 4-3 on Walk-Off Walk - New York Boulders
- Boulders Walk off with a Win, Literally (4-3) - Worcester Tornadoes
- Henderson's Walk Off Single Completes Five-Run Comeback - New Jersey Jackals
- Boulders Acquire Infielder Brandon Pinckney from Worcester Tornadoes - New York Boulders
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