Tornadoes split DH at Brockton
August 16, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
BROCKTON -- Worcester used a 3-RBI day from Chris Colabello to defeat Brockton, 7-4, in game one of a doubleheader, but had to settle for a split, falling in the second game, 2-1, Saturday evening at Campanelli Stadium.
The Tornadoes took game one of the doubleheader, as they jumped ahead early to a 5-0 advantage. In the second inning, Francisco Caraballo smacked a line drive solo homer to centerfield off of Brockton starter Rony Mercado (1-1), to give Worcester a 1-0 lead. The Tornadoes put four runs on the board in the following inning, including a 2-run double by Chris Colabello, as well as a 2-run, towering blast off the bat of Alex Trezza, his 10th of the season. Mercado had to leave the ball game with an apparent shoulder injury with the count at 1-0 to Trezza. Righty James Baker served up the gopher ball in relief of Mercado.
Worcester starter Tom Cochran (13-1) surrendered three runs in the bottom half of the third when Rox outfielder Dennis Abreu sent his 11th home run of the season to deep left field. Brockton added another in the fourth to pull within one run at 5-4, when Melvin Falu singled in Josh Womack from third base. But Brockton was shut down the rest of the way by Cochran and reliever Eddie Pena, as Cochran picked up the win while Pena earned his 7th save of 2008. Colabello and Trezza added back-to-back RBI hits in the fifth, en route to the 7-4 victory.
Game Two featured a pitchers duel, as Rox starter Mike Smith (1-0) was perfect through four innings, while Tornadoes righty Shaun McNamara (2-10) went five strong, surrendering two runs on five hits, striking out five and walking one. Brockton broke through first on the offensive end with an RBI single by Jud Thigpen in the third inning, and added another in the fourth with a 2-out run-scoring single, this time by Jason Colson. The Rox led 2-0 until the sixth, when Mike MacMillan led things off with a triple and was plated on Jeff LaHair's ensuing groundout. Worcester was only able to muster three baserunners on Brockton pitching; 2 hits and a walk.
Smith picked up his first victory of the season with his six inning, one run on two hit effort. Smith struck out a total of eight batters including a stretch of seven in a row from the first to the third. Jerry Dunn closed things out in the seventh to record his league-leading 19th save of the season.
The Tornadoes will look to take the rubber game of this three-game weekend series Sunday night, as they send righty Matt Weagle to the mound to take on Brockton righthander John Kelly. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
Worcester returns home on Tuesday, Aug. 19 for the final homestand of the season which is highlighted by Back to School Night/Fireworks Show on Aug. 22, Fan Appreciation Night/Fireworks Show on the 23rd, and Tykes Club on the 24th! For more information on upcoming promotions or 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.
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