Tornadoes Hold off Boulders in 9-5 Win
July 22, 2012 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
Kevin Cooper allowed one run after the first inning in eight frames of work as the Worcester Tornadoes beat the Bergen Boulders 9-5 on Sunday evening at Provident Bank Park. Chris Torres had a game-tying homer in the fifth, and Cam Kneeland added the game-winner three batters later.
The Tornadoes jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first with a two-out rally started by a Ryan Mollica throwing error to put Torres on first. Johnny Welch knocked Torres in with the first of three doubles for the Worcester third baseman. (He finished the game 3-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI). Alex Nunez singled to plate Welch, then stole second. Kneeland had the first of his three RBI with a single to score Nunez.
The Boulders, who were renamed the Bergen Boulders for the day in honor of their fans from Bergen County, New Jersey, scored four times in the first off of Cooper. Chris Valencia hit a single on the first pitch of the inning, and two other Boulders added hits. Cooper hit both Phil Cuadrado and Ryan Scoma with pitches, Scoma with the bases loaded to put the Boulders on the board.
Brandon Pinckney had a twp-RBI single to tie the game at 3-3 before Ryan Mollica's sacrifice fly gave Bergen its first of two (short-lived) leads. The Tornadoes tied the game or took the lead in the next half inning each time.
In the top of the second inning, Cameron Monger walked with one out. He was caught in a pickle between first and second base after a great pick-off move by Boulders' starting pitcher and former major leaguer Gustavo Chacin.
Cuadrado, making his first appearance at shortstop this season, came over from the other side of the diamond and impeded Monger on the base paths. Cam was awarded second as a result, and Cuadrado was charged with one of three Boulders errors (their second three-error game in a row). Monger took third on a Jerod Edmondson single and scored on Ryan Brockett's suicide squeeze to tie the game, 4-4.
Bergen took the lead for the final time in the fourth inning on a Qualon Millender single, scoring Cole Kraft from second (after his one-out double).
In the next half inning, Worcester took the lead for good. Torres tied the game with a solo home run, and Kneeland hit a two-run bomb three batters later.
The Tornadoes added a pair of insurance runs in their half of the ninth on a bases-loaded single by Kyle Nisson, his second hit of the day.
Nick Serino struck the first two batters of the ninth out, allowed a single to Millender, then retired Keith Brachold with a pop out back to the mound to ensure the Worcester victory.
Cooper struck seven batters out in his eight innings of work, walking one batter and hitting three with pitches (including Cuadrado twice). He gave up five runs on seven hits in his fourth win of the year.
Chacin allowed seven runs (four earned) in his five innings pitched. He k'd two batters, issued one free pass, and gave up 11 hits. Garrett Johnson tossed three shutout innings before MacKenzie King faltered in the final frame, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks (one intentional).
After wrapping up the road portion of their season series with the Boulders, the Tornadoes head to Yogi Berra Stadium for the first time in 2012 for a three- game stint with the New Jersey Jackals. The first pitch on Monday night is schedule for 7:05, with pre-game coverage beginning at 6:50 on USTREAM.tv.
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Canadian American League Stories from July 22, 2012
- Can-Am League Game Recaps - Can-Am
- Bergen Boulders Fall to Worcester 9-5 on Jersey Day at Provident Bank Park - New York Boulders
- Tornadoes Hold off Boulders in 9-5 Win - Worcester Tornadoes
- Jackals Drop Games Three and Four of Series with RailCats - New Jersey Jackals
- Can-Am League Game Recaps - Can-Am
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