Tornadoes sky over Hawks
May 30, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
WORCESTER - For the second consecutive night, the Worcester Tornadoes rode strong pitching with timely hitting to edge Sussex by one run, this time topping the Skyhawks 4-3 on Friday evening at Fitton Field.
The Tornadoes (6-2) finished the night with five hits by five different players, led by Scott Grimes who was 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored. It already marks the sixth different Worcester player who has hit a home run this season (in only eight games). Ryan Mitchell was impressive on the mound, giving up only three hits and two runs (all earned) in 5.2 innings to earn the win. John Birtwell pitched the final 1.2 for his first save of the season.
Both pitchers started strong, but it was Worcester who took advantage of some Edysbel Benitez wildness for the 3-0 lead. Benitez only threw eight strikes on 25 third-inning pitches, walking B.J. Weed, Grimes, Alex Trezza, and Francisco Caraballo to give the Tornadoes the 1-0 advantage. Thursday night's hero, Chuck Jeroloman, followed with a two-run single, scoring Grimes and Trezza.
Grimes added some insurance with his first home run of the season to lead off the fifth inning. The Tornadoes subsequently loaded the bases with two outs, knocking Benitez out of the game in favor of Matt Salvato, but Rico Santana flew out to end the threat.
In the sixth, the Skyhawks knocked two Tornadoes pitchers out of the game, using patience at the plate coupled with clutch hitting to pull within one run at 4-3. With two outs, Mitchell hit Walter Young, ending Mitchell's night after 5.2 strong innings. Alex Beras came in, but didn't fair well, allowing both inherited runners to score while failing to record any outs. The big blow came from former Tornadoes catcher Yohanny Valera, whose single scored the first two Sussex runs. After three hitters, Worcester Manager Rich Gedman opted for Ryan Lobban, who struck out Matt Weston to end the threat.
The Worcester bullpen bore down the rest of the way to hold onto its sixth win of the season, five coming at the expense of the Skyhawks.
The Tornadoes continue their seven-game homestand on Saturday with another 6:05 p.m. tilt vs. Sussex. Eddie Pena takes the hill for his second start of the season. He will be opposed by Edward Roberts. It also marks Rally Tally Night sponsored by St. Vincent Hospital. Then on Sunday at 1:05 p.m., come celebrate Twister's birthday in the final game of the series! For tickets, call the Tornadoes' office at 508-792-2288 or crash the web at www. worcestertornadoes.com. All 94 regular season games and all three preseason exhibition 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 May 30, 2008
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