Can-Am Brockton Rox

Rox outlast Spirit, 8-5

Published on July 16, 2005 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


The Brockton Rox (2-0) scored three runs in the ninth inning to defeat the North Shore Spirit (0-2), 8-5, in a wild back-and-forth contest in Lynn, MA. With the win, the Rox assured themselves of winning the three-game weekend series to open the second half of the season.

After the Spirit tied up the game in the bottom of the eighth against Rox closer Joey Cole, North Shore closer Ryan McCally surrendered an RBI single to Guye Senjem, an RBI groundout to Craig Lewis, and an RBI double to Brian Jones to give Brockton their winning margin.

For the second straight game, North Shore sent an All-Star starter to the mound and for the second straight game, he did not fare well. One day after ace John Kelly was battered for ten hits and eight runs, Ryan Bicondoa gave up nine hits and five runs in five innings. Twice the Spirit lineup gave Bicondoa the lead at 1-0 and 2-1, and twice the right-hander could not hold it.

A three-run rally in the top of the fifth gave Brockton their first lead. With one out, Matt Cucurullo singled and stole second. Saul Bustos lined a base hit to left where Jose Garcia booted it, allowing Cucurullo to score for a 3-2 lead. A throwing error on Bicondoa sent Bustos scampering into scoring position. Senjem followed with a grounder up the middle to score Bustos. Later in the inning, Bicondoa hit Jake Daubert with the bases loaded, forcing in the fifth run of the game for the Rox.

A home run by Rob Fischer off reliever Jon Koch in the seventh brought the home team to within 5-3.

In the eighth, the Spirit completed their comeback against Tony Stutz and Cole. Brian Lentz drew a lead-off walk and advanced to third on a double by Garcia. Eric Storey sent a groundball to Bustos at shortstop, who threw to third to cut down Garcia. On the play, Lentz scored and the deficit was cut to one. Garrett Weir, pinch-running for Storey, advanced to second when Steve Carter was hit by a pitch, and then to third when he tagged up on a flyout to center off Yuri Sanchez's bat. Rox manager Ed Nottle brought in the dominant Cole, an All-Star himself, but fate for the moment was on North Shore's side. Marcos Agramonte sent a squibber to third baseman Daubert, whose throw to first could not be handled by Lewis. It was ruled an error on the first baseman, with Weir scoring from third to tie the score.

In the ninth, Bryan Morse came out for his fourth inning in relief of Bicondoa, but ran into trouble. With one out, a Morse delivery nailed Cucurullo in his hip. The Rox centerfielder darted to third on a perfectly-executed hit-and-run by Bustos. Out went Morse and in came McCally, but this would not be the Spirit closer's night.

Cole (5-2) earned the win, staying on to pitch a scoreless ninth. Morse (6-2) took the loss, giving up two runs on one hit in 3.1 innings.

Brockton and North Shore wrap up their three game series with a 2:05 Sunday afternoon start, Grant Dorn for the Rox against the Spirit's Jake Mullis.

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Canadian American League Stories from July 16, 2005


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