Saul Bustos Homers in Bottom of 10th as Elmira Falls at Brockton 3-2
Published on July 19, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Friday, July 19, 2002 - Campanelli Stadium, Brockton, Mass.
Brockton SS Saul Bustos hit solo home-runs in the 1st and 10th innings to lead the Brockton Rox to a 3-2 victory over the Elmira Pioneers Friday night at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton in front of 3,354 fans.
Greg Keagle's first pitch of the bottom of the 10th was socked over the wall in right-center as Bustos raced around the bases with his 8th HR of the year. Bustos has hit 4 of those home-runs against Elmira pitching. Keagle lasted into the 10th inning by throwing only 97 pitches through the first 9 frames.
The victory ends Brockton's 4-game losing streak and improves their 2nd half record to just 2-6. Elmira has their 3-game win streak come to end by dropping the opener of the 4-game set. The Pioneers are 5-2 in the 2nd half and 30-22 overall.
Elmira is 2-1 in extra inning games this season with all of those contests coming against the Rocks. The Pioneers pulled out victories in 13 innings and 16 innings last Friday and Saturday nights at Dunn Field against the Rox.
Greg Keagle (4-7) has dropped 6 of his last 7 starts and has lost consecutive outings to Brockton having also lost last Sunday at Dunn Field.
The game did not start until 8:31 p.m. following an hour and 20 minute rain delay on a wet and chilly night in eastern Massachusetts.
Home-plate umpire Sean Francis was the only umpire for the first 5 innings of the game as the other two umpires were late arrivals due to car troubles. Brockton and Elmira traded placing position players in the field to serve as the other umpire until the others arrived.
Saul Bustos homered in the bottom of the 1st and Trevor Hall hit a solo HR in the b ottom of the 2nd to stake the Rox to an early 2-0 advantage.
Rafael Alvarez blooped a single into shallow LF in the 1st off starter Joey Baker. It would be the only Pioneers hit through the first 7 innings for Elmira. After Ron Bush walked in the 2nd Baker proceeded to retire 17 straight Elmira hitters.
Rolando Bello broke that streak leading off the top of the 8th with a solo HR to RF to get the Pioneers on the board. Brandon Pernell followed with a single to left-center and Osmani Garcia drove in the tying run with a single up the middle to make it 2-2.
Baker in taking the no decision recorded a season best 10 strikeouts. He had thrown a complete game 4-hitter last Sunday afternoon in disposing of the Pioneers 5-1 pinning the loss on Greg Keagle in the process.
In the top of the 10th, Brandon Pernell doubled to the RF corner with 1-out but he was caught between 2nd and 3rd when Garcia hit a one-hopper back to the pitcher Conor Brooks (2-4)and was tagged out.
Brockton leads the season series over Elmira 6 games to 5. The Pioneers are 3-1 on their current road trip through Massachusetts.
LH Justin Stine (3-4, 4.70) starts for Elmira Saturday night at 7. Brockton has not announced their starting pitcher for the game.
Elmira returns home Tuesday night hosting Berkshire in the opener of a 6-game homestand.
Canadian American League Stories from July 19, 2002
- Saul Bustos Homers in Bottom of 10th as Elmira Falls at Brockton 3-2 - Elmira Pioneers
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