Brockton can't get out of Tornadoes path
June 18, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
WORCESTER - The Worcester Tornadoes turned around a 4-0 second-inning deficit with seven consecutive runs, holding onto the 7-5 win over the Brockton Rox on Wednesday evening at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.
The Tornadoes improve to 16-8 on the season, winning their third game in a row and fourth of the homestand (to only one loss). After a tough start, Matt Weagle responded by throwing five scoreless innings to end his outing. In the first two innings, he allowed four earned runs on seven hits while in the final five frames, he didn't allow a run while only giving up two base knocks. The win improved his record to 5-1, tying for the league-lead in victories. Omar Pena and Francisco Caraballo led the way with a two-run home run each. John Birtwell struggled in the ninth inning, but held on with two-consecutive strikeouts for his seventh save of the season (and second in as many nights).
Brockton began the first two innings in identical fashions, opening up a 4-0 advantage in the process. Ervin Alcantara led off the first inning with a double to right-center field. Dominic Ramos followed with a groundout to second, advancing Alcantara to third. Jud Thigpen drove him in with a line-drive single between third and shortstop. In the second inning, Melvin Falu began with a double to right field while Lee Rubin followed with a 4-3 groundout. Staying true to form, Eugene Julien hit a looping single over the drawn-in infield for the 2-0 lead. Alcantara followed with a no-doubt two-run home run for the four-run lead, his second extra-base hit in as many innings.
Worcester started its comeback in the bottom of the second when Pena launched his second home run of the season, a two-run shot to cut the deficit in half. B.J. Weed inched Worcester even closer with a double that one-hopped the left field wall, scoring Mike MacMillan who reached via a walk.
Caraballo crushed his league-leading sixth home run in the bottom of the fifth to give the Tornadoes their first lead of the game at 5-4. The two-run shot scored Chris Colabello who preceded with a single.
The Tornadoes extended their lead to 6-4 in the seventh when Chuck Jeroloman hit a clutch bases-loaded single to score Scott Grimes. Colabello made it 7-4 in the eighth when he swatted a two-out RBI double, scoring Jeff LaHair.
Brockton made things interesting in the ninth with one run against Birtwell, but Worcester held on for the 7-5 victory.
Worcester finishes its series with Brockton on Thursday at 6:05 p.m. on $1 hot dog night! Junior Guerrero takes the hill for the Tornadoes. For tickets, call the Tornadoes' office at 508-792-2288 or crash the web at worcestertornadoes.com. All games can be heard live on NewsTalk 580 AM and 94.9 FM WTAG and online at www.wtag.com.
• Discuss this story on the Canadian American League message board...
Canadian American League Stories from June 18, 2008
- Jackals sink Surf - New Jersey Jackals
- Can-Am Leage recap June 18 - Can-Am
- Rapidz to make up suspended game - Ottawa Voyageurs
- Brockton jumps out 4-0 early, but folds to long ball - Brockton Rox
- Brockton can't get out of Tornadoes path - Worcester Tornadoes
- Skyhawks pull to within a game of .500 mark - Sussex Skyhawks
- Skyhawks Sneak Past Pride 8-7 - Sussex Skyhawks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
