Can-Am Brockton Rox

Rox rally past Elmira, 6-4

Published on June 4, 2005 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


Saturday night, the Rox (7-3) defeated host Elmira (2-8) for the third straight game, 6-4, in one of the strangest conceivable ways.

With the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning and the score tied at 4, Kurt Piantek was hit squarely in the back by a Jared Stuart pitch, forcing in the go-ahead run. It was the first run of the season charged to the Elmira reliever, who then gave up a Chad Stewart RBI single for Brockton's sixth run.

The game-winning rally started with base hits by Jake Daubert and Craig Lewis. Daubert was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Brian Jones' single, but Lewis and Jones moved up to third and second base respectively. Stuart intentionally walked Kris Zacuto, setting the stage for Kurt Piantek's opportunistic RBI.

The ninth inning drama followed an excellent start from Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, who struck out nine Pioneers over 6.2 innings, but left with a no-decision after Elmira scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning to complete a comeback from a three-run deficit.

For the second consecutive night, Brockton tallied three runs in the top of the second. Piantek doubled with one out and was brought home by a Stewart base hit. The Rox outfielder then scored on a deep fly ball to center by Matt Cucurullo. Jason Tuttle almost made a magnificent catch, but the ball glanced off of his glove. Cucurullo was credited with a double, leaving him in perfect scoring position for Saul Bustos' single.

In the bottom of the inning, Elmira bounced back. Jake Daubert's error put Ronnie Deck on first with one out. Deck moved to second when Boyd knocked down Ryan Morgan's groundball but was unable to cut down Deck at second base. Both runners came around to score on Kyle George's double, and the Rox lead was down to 3-2.

Brockton put the lead up to two runs in the fourth on a Kris Zacuto sacrifice fly, then each team's pitchers bore down to shut out the other's offense for the middle three innings of the game.

In the bottom of the seventh, Boyd tired. After Kyle George grounded out, Toshi Suzuki singled and Ryan Dorsey doubled him in. After a visit from pitching coach Shad Williams, Boyd retired the dangerous Tuttle on a come-backer. With two out, Chad Cooper ended the Oil Can's night with a game-tying single. On reliever Tony Stutz's first delivery to Ryan Kenning, Cooper took off for second base. The pitch was a pitch-out and Cooper was cut down easily by Brian Jones to end the threat and keep the game tied at 4 until the ninth inning drama.

Stutz (2-1) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win, Stuart (0-1) was charged with the loss, and Joey Cole struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his third save.

The two teams play the last act of their four game series Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Brad Guy starts for the Rox against Elmira's Mike Howell.

Check out the Brockton Rox Statistics



Canadian American League Stories from June 4, 2005


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