Crawford, Boston Come Up Big in Win; Nashua Clinches Playoff Spot

Published on July 1, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
American Defenders of New Hampshire News Release


July 1st, 2003 (Nashua, NH) - The Nashua Pride rode the rejuvenated right arm of Paxton Crawford to victory tonight, beating the Bridgeport Bluefish 5-1 in front of a crowd of 1,657 at Historic Holman Stadium. With the win, Nashua clinches the Atlantic League North Division's first half title.

The Pride took a page from Bridgeport's book, getting on the board in the bottom of the first inning. David Francia started things off with a one out single, followed by a walk to D.J. Boston. After Glenn Murray popped out weakly to the third baseman, Damian Sapp drew another walk to load the bases. Mitch Meluskey did not disappoint the fans in attendance, lining a single to left to score Francia. Chop Pough, on a seven game hitting streak that has raised his batting average nineteen points, contributed with his patience this time out, drawing the third walk of the inning from Bluefish starter Angel Miranda to force in the second run.

The Bluefish responded quickly, manufacturing a run in the second. Willis Otanez opened the inning with a single before being forced by a Richard Almanzar ground ball back to the mound. Two batters later, Angel Espada continued his solid hitting in the series, bouncing a Baltimore Chop over the head of the Pough at third. Hustling all the way from first, Almanzar beat Murray's throw to the plate easily. Pough, not so patient this time around, was ejected in the bottom of the third for arguing balls and strikes after looking at a called third strike.

Crawford put together his second solid outing in a row, protecting the 2-1 lead through seven innings. In the bottom half of the inning, Boston made things a bit more comfortable for the big right-hander, homering off the "Lobsterman For President" sign in right field. It was the seventh homerun of the season for the longtime Pride first baseman, who walked away with $100 in his pocket due to a promotion involving balls that hit that particular billboard.

Crawford earned his second win in a row for Nashua, allowing only one run on five hits in seven innings. It was the first time this season that the former Red Sox farmhand had won consecutive starts. Former Pride pitcher Angel Miranda, who played for the team in 2001 and 2002, took the loss, his first of the season.

UP NEXT: Nashua heads to Long Island for a three game series against the Ducks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. They return home on Saturday, where they will play the Somerset Patriots on the celebration of Nashua's 150th Birthday. Game time is 2:05. Great seats are still available...for more information, call the Nashua Pride ticket office at 883-2255, log on to www.nashuapride.com, or visit the Holman Stadium box office.

IN OTHER NEWS: The Pride announced yesterday that they have come to terms with pitcher Brian Smith, who began the season with the team before signing a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. Smith slides into the opening vacated by relief pitcher Ned Darley, who was placed on the inactive list while pursuing an opportunity to play in China. The move marks a return to Southeast Asia for Darley, who pitched for a team in Taiwan before joining the Pride this season.

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Canadian American League Stories from July 1, 2003


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