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Can-Am Brockton Rox

Thigpen's sac fly wins it twelfth for Brockton

June 22, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


Brockton, MA (June 22, 2008) - Staring at a possible sweep at the hands of the New Jersey Jackals, the Brockton Rox battled for 12 innings before OF Jud Thigpen brought home C Josh Vander Hey with the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning.

The Rox and Jackals were only playing in the extra frame because of Vander Hey's third home run of the season; a solo shot on the first pitch of the bottom of the sixth inning. The Rox trailed 4-3 before Vander Hey's game-tying shot, and struggled to put runs on the board against Jackals' starter LHP Aaron Tressler. Tressler allowed three runs (two earned) over the first five innings, but made a habit of extinguishing Brockton threats before they could get started.

Meanwhile, Rox starter LHP Rolando Viera was pitching in a similar fashion; into, and almost simultaneously out of, tough situations. Viera allowed a first inning run on a wild pitch, but stranded a runner at second base. In the second inning, New Jersey had runners on first and second with one out and Viera induced an inning-ending double play.

After the Rox tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth due to back-to-back Jackals' errors, New Jersey loaded up the bases in the fifth inning for SS Casey Gordon. Gordon hit a towering fly ball to left field that Rox LF Mike Torres lost in the sun and it landed behind him for a bases-clearing double. That play gave New Jersey a 4-1 lead.

Brockton battled back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the deficit to one run, and in the bottom of the sixth inning, New Jersey turned to the bullpen to reliever Tressler. Vander Hey drove the first pitch he saw from LHP Brandon Martin into the visitor's bullpen beyond the left field wall for a game-tying homerun.

The teams battled scoreless through the next five and half innings until Vander Hey batted again in the bottom of the 12th. With one out, he singled to centerfield and eventually moved up to third base. Thigpen then came to the plate and drove an 0-2 pitch from RHP Hunter Davis to center for a game-winning sacrifice fly.

Brockton avoided being swept by the Jackals with the victory, and moved to 14-15 on the season. The Rox focus on a four-game series with the first-place Quebec Capitales beginning on Monday at Campanelli Stadium. LHP Chris McDonough (3-1, 5.63 ERA) looks for his team-leading fourth win of the season. First pitch for Monday night's game is 6:05 PM.

Kids Eat Free on Monday Nights at Campanelli Stadium. Kids 12 and younger receive a concessions voucher with the purchase of a box seat. Tickets are available by phone at (508) 559-7070 or online at www.brocktonrox.com.

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Canadian American League Stories from June 22, 2008


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