Cochran, Lahair Key Series Sweep of Surf
June 22, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
Atlantic City, NJ -- Lefty Tom Cochran turned in another dazzling pitching performance and Jeff LaHair keyed a three-run 7th inning outburst with a two-run homer, as the Worcester Tornadoes completed the three-game sweep of the Atlantic City Surf, winning 5-2 on Sunday night.
The game featured two of the top lefthanders in the league in Cochran and Atlantic City's Brian Rodaway. They did not disappoint. The game was scoreless into the bottom of the 4th inning when Josh Burrus doubled off Cochran, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Clyde Williams grounder to second base. However, the Tornadoes would tie it in the top of the 6th inning when B.J. Weed's high fly ball to center was lost in the twilight and fell for a double with one out in the inning. Scott Grimes singled Weed to third, and he scored on a Chris Colabello sacrifice fly to left.
The Tornadoes went ahead for good in the top of the 7th inning. Chuck Jeroloman laced a one-out triple into the rightfield corner off Rodaway (3-2) and scored on an Omar Pena sacrifice fly. Mike MacMillan followed with a single to left to set up Jeff LaHair, who deposited a Rodaway offering over the wall in left for a two-run home run, his career-high third longball of the season, that made it 4-1, Worcester. Burrus, who went 4-4 and notched four of the six hits allowed by Cochran on the night, homered to left to start the bottom of the 7th, but Cochran settled down to get out of the inning without further damage. Grimes provided the final margin in the top of the 8th with his league-high 7th home run of a season, a tremendous blast over all three decks of signs in left off righty reliever Kyle George.
Cochran (5-0) pitched 8 innings for the Win and Rodaway (3-2) allowed a season-high 9 Hits and 4 Runs to take the Loss. Lefty Ryan Lobban tossed a scoreless 9th to record his 2nd Save of the season, and second in as many nights. The win propels the Tornadoes to a season-high 10 games over .500 at 19-9 and into sole possession of first place in the Can-Am League. Worcester will return home to start a seven-game homestand with the first of a four-game series against the New Jersey Jackals on Monday night. Righty Matt Weagle will get the start for Worcester and he will be opposed by New Jersey righty, and Becker College graduate, Ryan Pacyna. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05pm.
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Canadian American League Stories from June 22, 2008
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