Can-Am Brockton Rox

Rox Roll Over Boulders In Ten Innings

Published on June 14, 2011 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


(Brockton, Mass - June 14, 2011) - The Brockton Rox (11-7) prevailed in walkoff fashion for the second consecutive ballgame as Chris Grossman drove in the game winning run in the tenth inning to top the struggling Rockland Boulders (5-10) 6-5 on a brisk night at Campanelli Stadium.

Freddy Flores (2-0) got the start for the Rox and struggled early, much like he did in his last outing in Quebec City. Much like his previous start however, he settled down quickly after giving up three runs in the first two frames and went on to sit down twelve straight through the middle innings.

Flores hurled a season high seven frames while allowing four runs on nine hits, striking out five and walking one.

Trailing 3-1 in the third, Brockton received RBI singles from Keith Brachold and Ryan Royster, followed by a Mike Torres sacrifice fly in the fourth to turn the tables and take a 4-3 lead.

Boulders errors helped the Rox in each of the innings, foreshadowing a costly error later on in the tenth that may have cost Rockland the game.

After the Boulders forced a tie ballgame 4-4 on a sacrifice fly from Ryan Mollica in the top of the seventh, Brockton answered right back in the bottom half of the frame on a double by Melvin Falu followed by a second RBI base knock from Brachold.

However, the 5-4 lead was quickly squandered, when Jake Hale hit Sean Smith to begin the next inning and he came around to score on a single by Tommy Giles.

The Rox rode the arm of Dustin Birosak (1-0, 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K) through scoreless ninth and tenth innings, before claiming victory in the bottom of the tenth frame.

With Michael Gardner (1-2) on the hill, Falu walked and was replaced by pinch runner Cameron Monger. A costly error by first baseman Norm Hutchins and an intentional pass to Jorge Jimenez loaded the bases with no outs for Royster.

Royster flew out to shallow rightfield, but Grossman followed and would not be denied. The catcher roped his third single of the night into leftfield, plating Monger and clinching the series opener for Brockton.

Rockland starter John Muller pitched well, but was hurt by sloppy defense, allowing five runs (two earned) on nine hits in six and 1/3 innings.

With a recent flare for the dramatic, the Rox have now played three straight extra inning games and gone past the ninth frame in four of their last five contests.

The homestand wraps up Wednesday night with a battle of righthanders. In search of his second win, Julian Sampson will face off against Casey Hodges. First pitch of the series finale is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Canadian American League Stories from June 14, 2011


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