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Can-Am Brockton Rox

Rox edge Worcester, 5-3

July 28, 2005 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


Kris Zacuto launched two solo home runs to provide breathing room and the Brockton Rox (9-2) held on to defeat the host Worcester Tornadoes (6-5), 5-3, in the first of a four-game series.

The win coupled with Quebec's 5-4 extra-inning loss to New Haven County means that for the first time all season a team other than les Capitales will sit in sole possession of first place in the North Division of the Can-Am League.

Lead-off hitter Matt Cucurullo gave the Rox a quick one-run lead by sending Reid Willett's first pitch of the ballgame over the rightfield wall. It was Cucurullo's third lead-off home run in the second half after a homerless first half.

The Tornadoes knotted the score at 1-1 on Lucas Taylor's RBI base hit, the first of three run-scoring singles for the Worcester centerfielder. Josh Beauregard followed with a single of his own, but Omar Pena bounced into a double play to end the threat.

Two runs in the fifth for Brockton untied the score, and Zacuto extended the lead to 4-1 with a blast to left on Willett's first pitch of the seventh inning.

In the bottom of the frame, Worcester threatened again. Keith Beauregard and Chris Colabello reached base to start the inning and Alex Nunez advanced them with a sacrifice bunt, setting up Lucas Taylor for his second run-scoring base hit. Beauregard scored to cut the Rox lead to 4-2, while Colabello raced to third base. Without missing a beat, Brockton manager Ed Nottle removed starter Grant Dorn from the game and brought in Eddie Aucoin to protect the lead. The righthander didn't let his skipper down, picking Taylor off first and striking out Josh Beauregard swinging.

After Zacuto homered again in the ninth inning to make the score 5-2, Rox closer Joey Cole made matters interesting. He walked Danilo Reynoso and Keith Beauregard to start the bottom of the ninth, then struck out Colabello and Nunez. Again, Lucas Taylor came through with a clutch single, driving in Reynoso's pinch-runner Alex de los Santos with the Tornadoes' third run, and bringing the go-ahead run to the plate in the person of Josh Beauregard. Once again, Beauregard went down on strikes, the eighth save of the season for Cole.

Dorn (3-0) earned the win with 6.1 solid innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out six. Willett (6-4) was dealt his second loss to Brockton in six days, giving up four runs on nine hits over seven innings.

The Rox play the second game of the four-game series at Worcester on Friday at 7:05, Craig Anderson (1-0, 2.25) for Brockton against the Tornadoes' Chris Shank (1-3, 6.44).

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Canadian American League Stories from July 28, 2005


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