Tornadoes over Rapidz
Published on June 6, 2008 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
Ottawa, Ontario -- The Tornadoes scored all their runs early and benefitted from another outstanding pitching performance from righty Matt Weagle, as Worcester won the first game of their three-game series, defeating the Rapidz, 4-2, in Ottawa on Friday night.
Worcester benefitted from two costly Rapidz errors in the 1st inning as they jumped out on top early. Scott Grimes reach on a one-out fielding error by third baseman Juan Infante and Chris Colabello followed with a walk off Ottawa lefty Fraser Robinson (0-1). Francisco Caraballo followed with a shot off the very top of the wall in leftfield, missing a three-run home runs by just a couple of feet. Grimes scored and Colabello came across the plate behind him when the cutoff throw to third base got away for another error. After Alex Treza popped out to second base, Rico Santana delivered Caraballo with an RBI double to left that made it 3-0, Worcester. The Tornadoes tacked on another two-out run in the 2nd inning when B.J. Weed singled, stole second and scored on a Grimes RBI hit to left-center that made it 4-0.
Meanwhile, Weagle (4-0) was in control from the start, facing just one batter over the minimum through 5 shutout innings. The Rapidz finally cracked the scoreboard with three soft singles resulting in a run in the 6th and a double and a two-out Sambu Ndungidi RBI single plating another in the 7th, but that would be as close as the Rapidz would get. Righty John Birtwell slammed the door with two shutout innings to seal the win.
Weagle (4-0) picked up the Win, doubling his '07 win total, and Robinson (0-1) allowed just one earned run in 7 innings pitched, but took the loss. Birtwell was credited with his 2nd save in as many chances. Ottawa manager Ed Nottle used four different pitchers to pitch to the first four hitters of the top of the 8th inning. Nottle was ejected in the bottom of the 8th for arguing a double play in which the batter, Juan Infante was called out when the runner at first, Jose De Los Santos slid out of the baseline to try to break up the double play. Grimes and Caraballo have reached base in all 14 games this year. Tornadoes starting pitchers have gone at least 5 innings and have allowed no more than 3 earned runs in 12 of the team's 14 games in 2008. Worcester (10-4) will look to make it back-to-back victories over Ottawa (2-13) when they send RHP Eddie Pena to the mound on Saturday night. He will be opposed by Sussex lefty Mike Kusiewicz. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05pm.
Canadian American League Stories from June 6, 2008
- Tornadoes over Rapidz - Worcester Tornadoes
- Jackals lose tough one to Skyhawks - New Jersey Jackals
- Rox lose fourth straight - Brockton Rox
- Can-am league recap June 6 - Can-Am
- Rapidz stormed by Tornadoes - Ottawa Voyageurs
- Pride can't get past Capitales - American Defenders of New Hampshire
- Rios leads Sussex Skyhawks to 5-4 win over Jackals - Sussex Skyhawks
- Kyle Geiger voted Player of the Week - Ottawa Voyageurs
- El Guapo to Make His Return - American Defenders of New Hampshire
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