Can-Am Brockton Rox

Rox Walk Off In 11 Innings...again

Published on September 2, 2009 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


BROCKTON, MA - (September 2, 2009) - For the second consecutive night, the Brockton Rox beat the American Defenders of New Hampshire in the bottom of the 11th inning thanks to 2B Melvin Falu's RBI double which plated RF Keith Brachold from first base. Falu collected four hits and drove in four including a three-run home run.

The late-inning drama was necessary despite an early lead for the Rox. Brockton took a 1-0 advantage in the first inning on an RBI single by 1B Clyde Williams. Then in the third, Falu crushed the first pitch he saw from New Hampshire starter RHP Greg Ford over the left field wall for a three-run home run, pushing the Rox lead to 4-0.

Reigning Can-Am League Pitcher of the Week, RHP Jeff Long gave the Rox a strong start. He kept New Hampshire off the board through the first four innings before allowing two runs, just one earned, in the fifth to cut the lead to 4-2. He went on to retire seven in-a-row until the eighth inning when he ran into trouble.

The Rox had padded its lead with an RBI single by CF Chris Valencia in the sixth to make it a 5-2 game. However in the eighth inning, New Hampshire scored two runs and had the tying run at second when Long was chased from the game with just a one run lead. LHP Brad Hertzler entered and faced one batter but got two outs when LF Rafael Cabreja was caught stealing and DH Angel Molina struck out.

The Rox handed the ball to closer RHP Jerry Dunn in the ninth with a one-run lead, but for just the third time in 25 attempts this year, Dunn was unable to hold the lead. The Defenders scored the tying run on a two-out RBI single by 3B Mike O'Malley and the game went to extra innings tied at 5-5.

In the top of the tenth inning, New Hampshire had the bases loaded with two outs against Rox pitcher RHP Adam Piechowski. Cabreja attempted a straight steal of home and was out on a great block of home plate by Brockton's C Jon Gossard.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the 11th inning. Brachold drew a walk with one out and the Falu crushed the first pitch he saw off the wall in deep left centerfield scoring the game-winner easily from first base.

The Rox have Thursday off before heading to Worcester to begin the final series of the regular season against the Tornadoes. On Friday, RHP Freddy Flores (5-5, 4.06 ERA) will start for the Rox. Friday night's first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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Canadian American League Stories from September 2, 2009


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