Surf edge Tornadoes in extras

August 14, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release


Atlantic City, NJ --Surf second baseman Brad Thoma hit a walkoff solo home run to leftfield in the bottom of the 10th inning at Bernie Robbins Stadium on Thursday night, to beat the Tornadoes, 5-4, and snap Worcester season-high five-game winning streak.

The Tornadoes jumped out on top for the fourth straight game, plating three runs in the 3rd inning on a Scott Grimes RBI groundout, a Chris Colabello RBI single and a throwing error by Surf third baseman Gil Zayas. But Atlantic City got to righty Junior Guerrero in the 4th inning, using an infield hit and two bloop singles to plate one run, then catcher William Plaza laced a two-out, three-run home run just over the fence in leftfield to put the Surf on top, 4-3. Worcester immediately tied it in the top of the 5th, when a single, and error and a walk set up a B.J. Weed sacrifice fly that made it 4-4. It would stay that way for a while, as Guerrero (who began the game by setting down 10 straight) finished up the outing strong, retiring the final 11 batters he faced in going eight terrific innings. The Surf bullpen was outstanding as well, turning in 5.2 inning of one-hit, shutout baseball as the game headed to extra innings tied at 4. That set up Thoma's heroics, as he pulled an Anthony Sullivan offering just over the wall and inside the foul pole in leftfield for the game-winner with one out in the bottom of the 10th.

Kyle George (5-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the win and Sullivan (2-1) took the loss. The Tornadoes fall to 1-4 in extra inning games on the season. Tornadoes pitching had retired 15 consecutive Surf hitters before Thoma's walkoff blast. It was the third walkoff loss of the season for Worcester. The Tornadoes finish up the season series with the Surf at 9-4, including a 6-1 mark at Bernie Robbins Stadium. The Tornadoes will try to return to their winning ways on Friday night when they play Game One of a three-game series in Brockton against the Rox. Righty Shaun McNamara is scheduled to start for the Tornadoes and he will be opposed by Rox righthander Rony Mercado. First pitch is set for 7:05pm.

Worcester returns home on Tuesday, Aug. 19 for the final homestand of the season which is highlighted by Back to School NightFireworks Show on August 22, Fan Appreciation Night/Fireworks Show on the 23rd, and Tykes Club on the 24th! For more information on upcoming promotions or for tickets to these or any games, call the Tornadoes' office at 508-792-2288 or crash the web at worcestertornadoes.com. All games can be heard live on NewsTalk 580 AM and 94.9 FM WTAG and online at www.wtag.com.



Canadian American League Stories from August 14, 2008


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