Ramos, Tornadoes Take Out Surf
July 14, 2007 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
Atlantic City, NJ -- Dominic Ramos homered and drove in three runs to lead a 13-hit attack, as the Worcester Tornadoes clinched a winning first half with a 6-4 victory over the Atlantic City Surf on Friday night.
For the third time in as many games in the series, Worcester struck first, stringing four consecutive singles together after two were out in the 3rd inning to go ahead 2-0. Worcester tacked on another run in the 3rd on Ramos' fourth home run of the season, a blast to leftfield off righty Ben Thurmond (6-3) that cleared both decks of signs and put the Tornadoes up 3-0.
But the Surf finally got to Junior Guerrero (4-1) in the 5th inning on an Ed Montague two-run double that trimmed the lead to 3-2. However, the Tornadoes clutch hitting continued in the 6th as Ramos delivered Patrick Perry with a two-out double, then scored himself when Jeff LaHair grounded a single to center to put Worcester up 5-2. Ramos would pick up his third RBI of the night with an infield groundout in the 8th that brought home Perry who had started the inning with a walk.
Things became interesting in the bottom of the 8th, as Eddie Pena loaded the bases on two singles and an error, then gave up an RBI single to Wally Rosa. John Birtwell was called into the game and retired pinch-hitter Mark Burke on a popup to the catcher Yohanny Valera, but Lucas Taylor followed with an infield single, plating the second run of the inning for the Surf, and bringing Atlantic City within two runs at 6-4. With the bases still loaded and the tying runs in scoring position, Birtwell fanned Josh Renick to end the inning, then shut the door in the 9th to end it.
Guerrero (4-1) pitched five solid innings for the win and Thurmond (6-3) took the loss. Birtwell was credited with his team-high 5th save of the season. Four of the six Worcester runs scored after two were out. The Tornadoes started a season-high five lefthanded batters (lefties came in hitting .411 vs.Thurmond on the season) and were rewarded as the lefties went 6-13 with two RBIs off him. With one game left to go in the first half, the Tornadoes have clinched a winning record for the half. Worcester will try to finish up the first half by taking three of four from the Surf in Atlantic City when they send righty Reid Willett to the mound in the series finale on Saturday night. He will be opposed by righty Coogie Freedman, coming out of the bullpen to make the spot start for the Surf. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.
• Discuss this story on the Canadian American League message board...
Canadian American League Stories from July 14, 2007
- Can-Am League Recap - Can-Am
- Mottram's Ninth Inning Hit Lifts Nashua over Capitales, 3-2 - American Defenders of New Hampshire
- Rox end first half on sour note with 14-3 loss to North Shore - Brockton Rox
- Jackals snap losing streak - New Jersey Jackals
- Surf blank Tornadoes in first half finale - Worcester Tornadoes
- Darryl Strawberry to Make Appearance at New Haven County Cutters Game - New Haven County Cutters
- Ramos, Tornadoes Take Out Surf - Worcester Tornadoes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
