Can-Am Brockton Rox

Jackals skirt Rox third comeback

Published on August 3, 2009 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


BROCKTON, MA - (August 3, 2009) - The Brockton Rox came from behind to tie the game twice on Monday night against the New Jersey Jackals, but a third attempt was cut a run short by Jackals' closer LHP Rusty Tucker as New Jersey won 7-6.

Trailing 7-5 entering the ninth inning against Tucker, the Can-Am League's leading closer, Rox DH Jud Thigpen smacked a solo home run to left field to cut the deficit to one run. Tucker was able to retire the next three hitters, two with strikeouts, to earn his league-leading 18th save of the year.

Brockton actually scored the first two runs of the game, cracking the scoreboard in the third inning on a solo home run by 3B Phillip Cuadrado. Two innings later, C Chris Grossman's RBI single scored 2B Melvin Falu to make it a 2-0 Rox lead.

Rox starter RHP Freddy Flores was strong through the first five innings, sending down nine in-a-row and 14 of 15 at one point. In the sixth inning however, New Jersey erased the Rox lead with one swing as SS Mike DeJesus hit a three-run home run to right field giving the Jackals a 3-2 lead.

Brockton answered right back, tying the game in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI double by LF Palmer Karr. The game swung back and forth from that point until the end.

New Jersey plated two more runs in the top of the seventh, chasing Flores from the game on a leadoff single by CF Zack Smithlin, and an RBI triple by 2B Marcus Sanders. Sanders scored on an RBI single by LF Ryan Rogowski on the first pitch thrown by reliever RHP Keith Noe.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Grossman provided the Rox with a second comeback on a dramatic, two-out, two-run home run to tie the game at 5-5. However the Rox bullpen could not keep New Jersey off the board in the late innings. The Jackals scored two runs in the eighth inning, one unearned, against RHP Stevie Delabar to recapture the lead at 7-5.

Thigpen's solo home run in the ninth inning was the first allowed by Tucker this season.

Brockton and New Jersey take the field for the second game of a four-game series on Tuesday night at Campanelli Stadium. LHP Fraser Robinson (5-2, 4.13 ERA) will face New Jersey LHP Isaac Pavlik (5-3, 3.96 ERA). Tuesday's first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM.




Canadian American League Stories from August 3, 2009


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