Tornadoes Close Home Slate with 6-4 Win
August 24, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
WORCESTER - The Worcester Tornadoes rode another home run from Francisco Caraballo, strong pitching from Kyle Jackson, and timely hitting from Chuck Jeroloman to a 6-4 win over the Ottawa Rapidz in the final regular season home game on Sunday afternoon at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.
With the win, Worcester's magic number to clinch a playoff berth dropped to three. Jackson had his second-consecutive strong outing, but came away with another no decision. He allowed two hits through the first five innings before getting in a jam in the sixth. He finished the afternoon with 5.1 innings pitched giving up five hits, four runs (all earned) with three walks and four strikeouts. Ryan Lobban entered in relief and pitched 2.2 scoreless frames for his fourth win of the season while John Birtwell struck out the side in the ninth for his franchise record-tying 13th save of the season.
Caraballo continued his home run barrage with a two-run shot in the first inning. He also added a single and walk good for a 2-for-3 effort with two RBIs and two runs scored. Alex Trezza added a two-run double and Jeroloman came up with the go-ahead RBI in the seventh to break a 4-4 tie. Scott Grimes crossed the plate in the first to set a new franchise record with 80 runs scored.
Worcester took the quick lead with a four-spot in the bottom of the first inning. Grimes led off with a double down the left field line. After Chris Colabello drew a one-out walk, Trezza drove both runners in with a first-pitch bloop double down the leftfield line. Caraballo then crushed another first pitch over the center field wall for his 20th home run of the season.
Ottawa's bats came alive in the sixth, scoring four times on four hits and a walk to tie the score at four. Jabe Bergeron drove in the first run with a single through the left side, scoring Kevin Butler to make it 4-1. Kyle Geiger followed with a two-run double to plate Jared Lemieux and Jose De Los Santos while Jake Daubert capped off the rally with a base hit off Lobban to score Geiger and tie the score at 4-4.
The Tornadoes answered in the seventh inning behind a Colabello hustle double and a Jeroloman two-out RBI single. An insurance run crossed the plate when catcher Kevin Butler's attempt to gun down Jeroloman stealing second went into center field, plating Caraballo from third for the 6-4 lead.
The Tornadoes now hit the road for a seven-game Canadian road swing starting with Tuesday's tilt at Quebec. 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 24, 2008
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- Rox Rally to Take Rubber Game - Brockton Rox
- Rox Come from Behind for 7-5 Win - New Jersey Jackals
- Trias No-Hits Pride, Nashua Shut-Out; 3-0 - American Defenders of New Hampshire
- Skyhawks Dominate Surf 9-2 - Sussex Skyhawks
- Tornadoes Close Home Slate with 6-4 Win - Worcester Tornadoes
- Tornadoes Wipe Out Rapidz, 6-4 - Ottawa Voyageurs
- Surf Trade For Pierce, Keel For Stretch Run - Atlantic City Surf
- New Jersey defeats Brockton with walk-off sacrifice fly by Lauderdale - Brockton Rox
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