Can-Am Brockton Rox

Rox hold on to top Quebec, 4-2

July 7, 2005 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


The Brockton Rox (19-21) salvaged one game of their three-game series north of the border with a hard-fought 4-2 win over the Quebec Capitales (25-15).

Rox starter Jon Koch shut out the dangerous Capitales offense over six innings and designated hitter-turned-catcher Kris Zacuto added an RBI single and a home run, as Brockton kept their faint playoff hopes alive. The next Quebec win or Rox loss will eliminate the Rox from first-half contention.

The win did not come without nervousness for the visitors as Quebec rallied in the ninth inning off Brockton closer Joey Cole for the second time in three games. After Cole struck out the first two men he faced, Benoit Emond drew a walk. Danny Scalabrini struck out swinging but the ball got away from Zacuto, allowing Scalabrini to reach base. Goef Tomlinson followed with a single to score Emond, thereby bringing the potential winning run to the plate in the person of clean-up hitter Eddie Lantigua. Cole was unfazed, fanning the dangerous Lantigua on three pitches to end the game and earn his fifth save.

Brockton broke out on top in the first inning against Quebec starter Julien Tucker. Eugene Julien led off with a base hit and moved to second when Andrew Salvo earned a base on balls. After Saul Bustos struck out, Guye Senjem and Zacuto slapped run-scoring singles for a 2-0 lead.

The first Quebec threat spelled the end of the night for Rox catcher Brian Weingart. In the bottom of the fourth, Lantigua reached third with one out and attempted to score on Olivier LePine's bouncer to shortstop Bustos. In the ensuing collision at the plate, Weingart held onto the ball to tag out the 230-pound Lantigua. When the inning ended Weingart himself was out, taken to a nearby hospital for stitches for his leg.

In to catch stepped DH Zacuto, a backup backstop for Brockton in 2004 who had played only outfield in 2005. His position change meant that the Rox pitchers would now have to hit. As expected, Koch struck out quickly in his one turn at the plate.

In the top of the eighth, however, reliever Eddie Aucoin --- an infielder in college --- bounced an RBI single through the middle to give Cole more breathing space in the dramatic ninth.

Koch (3-1) scattered five hits over his night's work, giving up no more than one hit in any inning. Tucker (3-2) took the loss, giving up three runs on seven hits in six innings.

Brockton now heads home to begin a weekend series with North Shore. Friday night's 7:05 start pits Brockton southpaw Kevin Beavers against Spirit ace John Kelly.

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Canadian American League Stories from July 7, 2005


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