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Can-Am Brockton Rox

Royster's Homer Catapults Rox To 7-5 Win

May 27, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


Brockton, Mass. - New Brockton Rox LF Ryan Royster tagged a three-run home run in the fifth inning, helping his team earn a 7-5 victory over the Worcester Tornadoes on Friday night at Campanelli Stadium.

The Rox (2-0) put together a two-out rally in the first inning to jump in front. 1B Melvin Falu walked and then RF Keith Brachold singled. Both moved up into scoring position on a passed ball charged to Worcester C Alex Trezza. Rox C Chris Grossman then delivered a two-run double to give Brockton a 2-0 lead.

The Tornadoes (0-2) got on the board in the third inning on a solo home run by SS Boomer Blanchard off of Rox starting LHP Mark Rosen. It was the only hit and run Rosen would allow as he pitched four innings (65 pitches) and gave way to RHP Jimmer Kennedy.

Kennedy recorded a 1-2-3 fifth inning before his teammates came to bat in the home half of the frame and put five runs across. SS Dominic Ramos led off with a double and then advanced to third on a fly out from CF Chris Valencia. Falu was intentionally walked which gave Brachold and RBI chance, and he came through with a sacrifice fly.

The inning continued as Grossman drew a walk and 3B Jorge Jimenez doubled a man home. Then with two on-base, Royster crushed one to left field into the Worcester bullpen, just to the left of the scoreboard. The blast gave the Rox a 7-1 advantage.

Worcester cut the Rox lead in half in the seventh inning on an RBI single by 2B Tony Patane as well as two wild pitches from Brockton LHP Brad Hertzler.

RHP Travis Hughes came on for a save opportunity for the second straight night in the ninth inning. Although he allowed two hits, including a solo home run to Trezza, Hughes went to a perfect 2-for-2 in save chances in 2011.

Kennedy (1-0) was the winning pitcher for the Rox, going 2.2 innings and giving up two runs on five hits with no walks and two strikeouts. RHP Jake Hale pitched for the second straight day and retired all three batters he face, striking out two of them.

Worcester starting RHP Matt Smith (0-1) took the loss in 4.2 innings of work, giving up five runs (four earned) and five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Out of the bullpen, LHP Michael Gedman and RHP Albert Ayala combined for three innings of shutout work.

Falu, a night after becoming the all-time Rox RBI leader with 214, reached base four times on the night including three walks (two intentional). With his two-run double, Grossman now has three RBI in his first two contests, while Royster added a seventh-inning single to go a long with his longball.

LF Alex Nunez was strong for the Tornadoes, going 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk. Blanchard checked in with a three-hit night (home run, double, single).

The victory for Brockton, including playoffs, is the 450th in franchise history.

Game three of this four-game series is set for Saturday night at Campanelli Stadium. RHP Freddy Flores toes the rubber for the first time in 2011 for the Rox against Worcester LHP Shawn Gilblair. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.

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