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Can-Am Brockton Rox

Four Homers Propel Rox To 3-0 Start

May 28, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


Brockton, Mass. - The Brockton Rox used the home-run ball to power themselves to a 3-0 record for the first time since 2007, defeating the Worcester Tornadoes, 4-1, on Saturday evening at Campanelli Stadium

The Tornadoes (0-3) scored first for the first time in the series, plating a first-inning run off of Rox starting RHP Freddy Flores. LF Alex Nunez reached base with a one-out single and then stole second base. Nunez would be brought home two batters later on an RBI single by 3B Mark Minicozzi.

The Rox (3-0) threatened in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with one out, but Worcester starting LHP Shawn Gilblair struck out Rox LF Ryan Royster and then got RF Keith Brachold to fly out to end the frame.

Flores then sailed for the next four innings, surrendering just two hits and putting together a pair of 1-2-3 innings.

Meanwhile Brockton finally got on the scoreboard in the home half of the fifth inning on the first professional home run by C Sam Wiley. Wiley's homer was a towering shot that cleared everything in left field and landed on the roof of the Brockton DMV.

Brockton grabbed the lead in the sixth inning on a solo shot by Royster, his second home run in as many days, and the Rox led 2-1.

The home run trend continued in the seventh with SS Dominic Ramos' first blast of 2011 which cleared the left-field bullpens. Finally in the eighth, 1B Melvin Falu joined the party with a line-drive homer into the Brockton bullpen in left.

Worcester had threats going in both the sixth and seventh innings, but left two men on base each time as LHP Reid Jackson and RHP Colin Lynch ket the Tornadoes at bay.

RHP Travis Hughes came on for the ninth for the third straight day and earned his third save. He did allow a single to DH Nick Salotti, but it was quickly erased on a double-play grounder.

Jackson (1-0), who made his pro debut tonight for the Rox, picked up the victory going 0.2 innings. Jackson inherited a runner from Flores and left that man stranded in the sixth inning.

Flores finished with a line of 5.2 innings, five hits, one run, no walks and two strikeouts. He threw 73 pitches (50 strikes).

Gilbalir did not factor in the decision for Worcester after 4.2 innings. He surrendered just one run on four hits with a walk and two punchouts. RHP J.J. Pacella (0-1) took the loss as he gave up Royster's home run in the sixth.

Ramos was one of the three Rox hitters to reach base twice, as he singled in the fifth and then had his home run in the seventh. Wiley had a multi-hit game for Brockton with a single in the second and his longball in the fifth.

Colabello was on base three times for Worcester, going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a hit by pitch. Minicozzi chipped in with two hits and the lone RBI of the game for the Tornadoes.

Brockton will go for the sweep of this four-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. RHP Robert Bono debuts for the Rox against Worcester RHP Chris Allen at Campanelli Stadium. Brockton will then continue its seven-game homestand with the first of three against Quebec on Monday night at 7:05 p.m.

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