Tornadoes Wake Up Early, Score Early in 7-3 Win
Published on June 5, 2008 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
WORCESTER - A five-run, six-hit first inning was more than enough as the Tornadoes salvaged the final game of the series with Atlantic City, dropping the Surf, 7-3, in a special 11 a.m. start at Fitton Field.
The Tornadoes didn't show any rust in their early start for Baseball in Education Day. Seven of the 10 runs scored in the game were picked up in the first, highlighted by Worcester batting around in the bottom of the inning. Tom Cochran impressed in his first start of the season, allowing only three runs (two earned) on seven hits in six innings for his second win of the year. Jeff LaHair took advantage of a spot start with a 2-for-4 performance, including three RBI's. Chris Colabello finished a triple short of the cycle (3-for-4) and three RBI's of his own.
Only two batters into the game, Atlantic City crossed the plate, converting an Anthony Granato walk and Josh Burrus double into the 1-0 advantage. After Joe Burke bounced to first, Eddie Kim picked up an infield single, scoring Burrus to make it 2-0.
The Tornadoes responded in a big way with five runs in the bottom of the inning, knocking Atlantic City starter Ben Thurmond out of the game in the process. B.J. Weed doubled and Scott Grimes was hit by the pitch to start the rally. Colabello followed with a rope down the left field line, scoring both runners on his team-leading fifth double of the season. Two batters later, Francisco Caraballo served the pitch into left field to score Colabello for the 3-2 advantage. After two infield singles to load the bases, LaHair came through with a seeing-eye ground ball through the right side to score Caraballo and Mike MacMillan, knocking Thurmond out of the game after only 0.2 innings. His tough day consisted of 0.2 IP, six hits, five runs (all earned), no walks and two strikeouts.
After both teams were blanked in the second through fifth innings, Atlantic City took advantage of three Tornadoes' sixth-inning errors to make it 5-3. The run scored when Justin Edwards couldn't handle a Brad Thoma chopper, scoring Burrus who also reached via an Edwards error. Worcester hung tough and minimized the damage by getting out of the jam with the two-run cushion.
The Tornadoes added insurance in the seventh inning behind LaHair's second hit of the day. His single knocked in MacMillan for the 6-3 lead. Colabello kept his impressive day going with a towering solo-home run to lead off the eighth for the 7-3 final.
Worcester hits the road for a six-game road trip starting on Friday with three at Ottawa and three at Quebec. Matt Weagle takes the hill looking for his fourth win is as many starts. The Tornadoes return home on Friday, June 13 at 6:05 p.m. vs. Ottawa in a promotions-filled homestand, starting with postgame fireworks that night! For tickets, call the Tornadoes' office at 508-792-2288 or crash the web at 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 June 5, 2008
- Can-Am League Recap - Can-Am
- Rapidz Defeated by Pride - Ottawa Voyageurs
- Tornadoes Wake Up Early, Score Early in 7-3 Win - Worcester Tornadoes
- Pride Sweep Rapidz with Game 3 Shut-Out; 2-0 - American Defenders of New Hampshire
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