Tornadoes drop third straight
June 25, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
WORCESTER - Despite solo home runs from B.J. Weed and Chuck Jeroloman, New Jersey used a three-run seventh inning to spoil a strong start from Eddie Pena, topping the Tornadoes, 5-3, on Wednesday evening at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.
Weed finished 2-for-5 with two of Worcester's (19-12) three RBIs. Chuck Jeroloman (2-for-4) and Omar Pena (2-for-4) also finished the night with multiple hits. Pena was cruising along until a three-run seventh inning foiled the bid for his fourth victory. He finished with seven innings pitched giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits with a career-high 10 strikeouts and two walks. The 10 punch outs were the most by any Tornadoes pitcher this season and only one shy of the franchise-record.
After scoring five runs in the first inning of Games One and Two, New Jersey continued the trend by turning a Mike MacMillan error into the 1-0 lead. Matt Lauderdale was the beneficiary of the miscue, taking second base on the wide throw to first. Luke Allen followed with a single and Juan Tejada crushed a sacrifice fly to left for the quick advantage.
Worcester tied the score at one when Weed crushed his second home run of the season with two outs in the third inning. The long shot to right field cleared the football scoreboard and landed in Fitton Field.
Weed gave the Tornadoes the 2-1 lead with an RBI double in the fifth, plating MacMillan who led off the inning with a walk. Jeroloman made it 3-1 with a soaring home run over the left field foul pole in the sixth.
The Jackals sent eight men to the plate in the seventh, retaking the lead at 4-3. In the process, they touched Pena for an earned run, marking the first time that has happened in 18 1/3 innings. The last time he allowed an earned run was on June 9 at Quebec (spanning two relief appearances and two starts). It all started when Casey Gordon's swinging bunt plated Andrew Larsen to make it 3-2. Later in the inning, Allen blasted a two-out single to right field, scoring Gordon for the 3-3 score. The go-ahead run, Marcus Sanders, crossed the plate when Pena uncorked a wild pitch.
New Jersey added insurance in the ninth when Allen drove in Gordon with a sacrifice fly for the 5-3 final.
Worcester looks to avoid the sweep on Thursday when they host the Jackals at 6:05 p.m. Shaun McNamara takes the hill for the Tornadoes. Worcester remains home on Friday to host Ottawa in a crucial showdown for first place with fireworks following the game! For tickets, 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.
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Canadian American League Stories from June 25, 2008
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