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Brockton Rox

Falu connects with two-run single in eighth inning to put Rox ahead

August 6, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


Brockton, MA - John Kelly's return to the Brockton Rox (14-6, 40-26) was one to remember, as the veteran pitcher stymied the Rockland Boulders (7-12, 26-39) offense through seven innings and helped guide the Rox to a 3-1 victory Saturday night.

Kelly had a tough act to follow after the Rox received outstanding starts on the mound from Mike Smith and Freddy Flores in the previous two games, but the 38 year-old Bay State native certainly delivered. Kelly tossed seven innings and allowed just five hits on two runs, while striking out seven and walking one. The righthander faced the minimum through his first three and 2/3 innings of work and hardly looked like a man who had been out of professional baseball for a year.

Kelly's opponent on the mound was almost as sharp, as Rockland starter Jonathan Velasquez (4-5) allowed just three runs on eight hits and four walks through seven and 1/3 innings pitched. The righthander surrendered his first run in the second inning after a Chris Grossman sacrifice fly scored Keith Brachold, but Velasquez settled down and was locked in through the middle innings.

Meanwhile, Kelly was dominant through the first five frames, until he ran into some trouble in the following inning. Trailing by a run heading into the sixth, the Boulders recorded three straight one-out singles to get on the board, as Ryan Mollica plated Mike Richard to tie the game at one. Richard tallied two of the five hits for Rockland and scored the visitors lone run.

With the game tied at one, the Rox received some late-inning heroics from the reigning Can-Am League Player of the Year, Melvin Falu.

Alex Sumner opened the bottom of the eighth with a lead-off walk against Velasquez, which was followed by a Chris Valencia single. Mike Torres dropped down a bunt to advance Valencia and Sumner into scoring position and the veteran Falu proceeded to drive a single into rightfield that scored both runners and gave the Rox a 3-1 lead.

Falu finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the win.

The Rox bullpen was phenomenal in relief of Kelly, as Mark Rosen (3-2) and Jake Hale (11) were perfect in the eighth and ninth, each finishing with two strikeouts in final two frames. Hale picked up his eleventh save of the season and his eighth of the second half.

Despite the win on Saturday, the Rox remain one half game behind the Worcester Tornadoes for first place in the Can-Am League second half standings and six games behind Quebec City for first place in the overall standings.

Brockton goes for the sweep of the Boulders on Sunday as the two squads wrap up the series at Campanelli Stadium. First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. with RHP Julian Sampson (6-3, 4.21) and RHP Will Hassett (4-4, 3.12) going head-to-head.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 6, 2011


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