Spirit fall two game back in chase for Northeast League Championship

Published on September 11, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
North Shore Spirit News Release


The Brockton Rox scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to take a 4-2 lead and beat the North Shore Spirit last night at New Fraser Field in Lynn. The Brockton win gives the Rox a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five 2003 Northeast League Championship series.

The Spirit jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one inning, before the Rox scored a run in the sixth to make the score 2-1.

In the first inning Carlos Sepulveda singled off Rox starter and winner Greg Salvevold (1-1), with two outs and scored on a Frank Charles double to give the Spirit a 1-0 advantage. After an Eddie Muth walk, Rob Fischer singled home Sepulveda for the 2-0 score.

In the meantime, the Spirit defense pulled off three sparkling double-plays in the first three innings, to aid starting pitcher Jeremy Sugarman. Sugarman who worked effetely until the decisive eighth inning took the loss.

In the sixth inning Brockton cut the Spirit lead in half to 2-1. Nestor Smith opened the frame with a lead-off single and advanced to second on an infield out and scored on Darren Blakely's RBI single to make the game interesting.

Brockton took the lead for good in the eighth inning when they scored 3-runs on 4-hits.

The Rox sent 8-batters to the plate in the inning. Abner Arroyo singled to start the rally and advance to second base on an infield out. With two outs, Brockton's first-baseman Craig Lewis singled home Arroyo to tie the game at 2-2. Brockton continued their 2-out rally when Francisco Matos tripled in the go-head runner to make the score 3-2.

Spirit Manger John Kennedy made a trip o the mound and called for closer Joe Ricciardi to relieve Sugarman. Saul Bustos greeted Ricciardi with an RBI single to bring the score to 4-2.

With the 4-2 lead the Rox's made a call to the bullpen for closer Connor Brooks. Brooks worked two perfect innings, striking out 2-batters to earn the save.

Rox winner, Salvevold worked 7-innings, struck out three and walked two to pick-up the win. Spirit loser Jeremy Sugarman worked 7 2/3 and allowed 4-runs on 12-hits to take the loss.

The Series resumes Thursday night in Brockton. Game time is set for 7:11 pm. The pitching match-up pits Spirit right-hander Klae Calvert verses Rox lefty Scott Martin.

You can listen to the game on flagship station WESX AM 1230 beginning with the pre-game show at 6:30.

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Canadian American League Stories from September 11, 2003


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