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Can-Am Brockton Rox

Thigpen's ninth-inning single leads to home plate collision, and Rox 5-4 win

July 25, 2009 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


BROCKTON, MA - Brockton centerfielder Chris Valencia knocked the ball free from New Hampshire catcher Zane Chavez, scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a thrilling 5-4 comeback win for the Rox on Saturday night.

New Hampshire took the game's first lead, scoring four runs in the first three innings against Rox starter LHP Craig Anderson. New Hampshire's 1B Chris Kelly knocked out his league-leading 16th home run of the year in the third inning to give the Defenders its largest lead of the night at 4-0.

However Brockton finally cracked the scoreboard in the fourth inning. DH Palmer Karr doubled down the left field line with one out, and three batters later scored on an RBI single by 2B Melvin Falu. An inning later, 1B Clyde Williams cut the deficit to 4-2 with a sacrifice fly.

Then in the sixth inning, RF Jud Thigpen singled to start the inning. Two pitches later, LF Keith Brachold hit his first home run in nearly a month, a towering shot into the right-field picnic area which tied the game at 4-4.

The score remained tied as the bullpens traded scoreless seventh and eighth innings, but in the bottom of the ninth inning, Valencia singled, and Williams walked, putting the winning run in scoring position with no outs. After Karr popped out to second base, Thigpen came to the plate. He laced a two-strike pitch into left field and Valencia streamed around third base. A one-hop throw from New Hampshire LF Jerod Edmondson found the glove of the waiting C Zane Chavez. Valencia crashed into Chavez and rolled across home plate. When the dust settled, Chavez lay on his back with ball on the grass, and the Rox won a thriller 5-4.

On Sunday, Brockton will attempt to sweep its third series in the last five it has played. LHP Alex Woodson (0-0, 4.76 ERA) will make his first start for New Hampshire against Rox RHP Jeff Long (3-1, 2.15 ERA). Sunday's first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 PM.

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