Tornadoes falter in first-half finale, 7-6

July 12, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release


WORCESTER - Chris Colabello blasted a go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth inning, but the Tornadoes bullpen couldn't hold a pair of leads, dropping a 7-6 decision to the Nashua Pride on Saturday evening at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.

Even with the crushing loss, the Tornadoes finish the first half of the season at 26-21 and in second place in the Can Am League standings. Alex Pena struggled in the first, but bounced back with six-consecutive scoreless innings. It included retiring 11-straight Pride hitters to close out his outing. He pitched seven innings giving up three runs (all earned) on seven hits, one walk, and two strikeouts. Every Worcester batter except Jeff LaHair finished with a hit, including two by Josh Farkes.

Nashua started strong with a three-spot in the top of the first inning. It all started when Ismael Castro walked and advanced to third base on a Jeremy Pickrel single. Bryan Duplissie followed with a two-run double for the 2-0 lead. Duplissie then advanced to third on a 4-3 groundout and scored when an Argenis Tavarez chopper got over the head of Colabello and into right field for the 3-0 advantage.

The Tornadoes used the long ball in the second inning to pull within one at 3-2. After a Francisco Caraballo walk, Farkes blasted a two-run home run just inside the left field foul pole for his third round tripper of the season and second of the series.

Worcester took its first lead of the game in the sixth when Colabello crushed his first home run in three weeks. The three-run shot erased the 3-2 deficit and propelled the Tornadoes to the 5-3 lead. It was Colabello's first home run since June 21 at Atlantic City when he hit three long balls in a 16-4 win over the Surf.

A struggling Ryan Lobban coupled with a crucial Justin Edward error allowed Nashua to pull even in the eighth. Pickrel led off by taking Lobban's first pitch over the center field wall. Dennis Abreu later walked and Tavarez singled to lead up to pinch hitter Mike Torres. John Birtwell, who came in looking for the four-out save, was greeted by a Torres rocket that ate up Edwards at third base, scoring Abreu for the 5-5 tie.

Alex Trezza came up big in the bottom of the inning with a clutch hit to put Worcester up 6-5. Scott Grimes led off with a single and advanced to second base on a Colabello groundout. Trezza's ensuing grounder found the hole between first and second base.

Birtwell couldn't hold a second lead as Nashua rallied for two runs in the ninth and its first advantage since 3-2. Vinny Pennell led off with a single followed by a Pickrel walk and Duplissie infield single. Abreu then hit a hot shot to third base for an infield single and the 6-6 tie. Tavarez followed with a soft single into right field to score Pickrel for the 7-6 lead.

The second half of the season begins on Monday at 7:05 p.m. when the Tornadoes host the Brockton Rox. Junior Guerrero is slated to take the hill for Worcester. Monday is Guaranteed Win Night and Team Photo Night! Kevin Shea bobbleheads will be given away on Tuesday and you can win a Webkinz on Wednesday! Visit the Tornadoes website at www.worcestertornadoes.com for more information on these exciting upcoming promotions. 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 July 12, 2008


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