Five-Run Sixth, Five-Run Seventh Bury Tornadoes 13-7

July 5, 2012 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release


The Worcester Tornadoes turned a six-run deficit into a one-run ballgame in the seventh, but the Amarillo Sox scored five runs for the second inning in a row to finish off the Tornadoes 13-7 Thursday night at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium.

The Sox got three straight hits to start their half of the first inning, including a Mitch Tucker RBI triple and a Jake Opitz single to vault Amarillo ahead.

In the fourth inning, an Alberto Espinosa solo homer added to the tally.

In the top of the sixth, the Tornadoes finally got on the board, pulling within a run. Jerod Edmondson and Brendon Kelliher had back-to-back doubles, and Johnny Welch knocked Kelliher in with an infield single to make the score 3-2.

In the bottom half of the frame, the Sox batted around. The five-run inning expanded the home team's lead to 8-2. Tim Alberts led it off with a single. Espinosa, Chuck Lofgren, Harrison Kain and Tucker all had RBI hits in the frame, and it ended with an Opitza strikeout.

In the next half inning, Alex Nunez, Tony Patane, Cameron Monger, Jerod Edmondson and Brandon Pinckney all came in to score, with Edmonson knocking in one run, and Pinckney and Welch each adding a pair of RBI.

One half inning later though, the Sox pulled away again. Alberts reached to lead the inning off for the second frame in a row, and Opitz struck out to end it again, with five runs scored in between (Alberts, Buschini, Lofgren, Abeita and Kain).

Justin Garcia notched the win despite allowing six runs (all earned) in 6.1 innings thrown. He struck out seven hitters, walked one, and gave up nine hits. The Sox bullpen pitched the final 2.2 frames, allowing just one run on three hits and a walk (plus three strikeouts).

Dan Sausville was handed the loss, giving up eight runs (all earned) on ten hits, three walks and four K's. Mike Gedman and Mike Mullen each allowed multiple runs as well, while Nick Serino pitched 0.2 scoreless innings. Kyle Regnault tossed a perfect eighth, bookending his night with swinging strikeouts.

The final game of the series is Friday at 8:05pm EST. Kevin Cooper gets the call for the Tornadoes.

The Worcester Local Nine will take a seven-hour bus trip to El Paso before Saturday's game. The four game set starts at 8:05pm EST at the Diablos' home, Cohen Stadium.



Canadian American League Stories from July 5, 2012


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