Weagle, Pena Complete Doubleheader, Series Sweep Over Sussex
June 1, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
WORCESTER - Behind complete-game pitching performances from Matt Weagle (pictured) and Eddie Pena, the Worcester Tornadoes swept the Sussex Skyhawks, 2-0 and 7-3, on Sunday afternoon at Fitton Field.
Along with the doubleheader sweep, the Tornadoes (8-2) finish with a four-game series sweep of the weekend tilt. Worcester has won seven of the first eight meetings against its Can-Am League rival from New Jersey.
The two starters combined for 14 innings pitched while only allowing three runs on eight hits. Weagle, who started Game 1, twirled his first-career shutout, a four-hit performance good for his third win of the season. He only faced three batters over the minimum in the seven-inning tilt, throwing only 80 pitches and racking up four strikeouts with no walks. Pena nearly duplicated the effort in Game 2, pitching four scoreless frames before allowing his first run. He finished with a career-high in innings pitched (7) while picking up his first-career complete game. He racked up five strikeouts while only needing 86 pitches to face four batters over the minimum and improve to 2-0 on the season.
In Game 1, the Tornadoes' offense was held at bay by Sussex starter Gary Galvez, but RBI's from Mike MacMillan and Omar Pena were enough to get Worcester the victory. The Tornadoes struck first in the second inning behind some two-out magic from the bottom of the order. Rico Santana started the rally by finding the right-center field gap for the game's first hit, a standup triple. MacMillan followed with a fly to left that Alex Frazier trapped, allowing Santana to cross the plate for the 1-0 lead.
Worcester added much-needed insurance in the fourth. Francisco Caraballo was hit by the pitch to start the inning. He then teamed with Chuck Jeroloman on a perfect hit-and-run, moving all the way to third base on the play. Pena followed with an RBI groundout for the 2-0 lead, a lead that stood the rest of the way.
The Tornadoes kept their good fortunes going in the first inning of Game 2. B.J. Weed and Scott Grimes led off the game with singles. Chris Colabello followed with a sacrifice fly to left, giving Worcester the quick advantage. After Alex Trezza popped out, Caraballo launched his third home run of the season over the left field wall for the 3-0 lead.
The top of the order got a rally started again in the third, finishing with one more run to open up a 4-0 lead. After picking up his second single, Weed stole second base and reached third on pitcher Eddie Roberts' throwing error. Grimes followed with a tough bouncer to shortstop that Nick Vardaro couldn't handle, allowing Weed to score on the infield single. Worcester had runners on first and third with one out, but Roberts induced his second 5-4-3 double play in as many innings to get out of the jam.
Worcester made it 6-0 in the fourth, starting with Jeroloman's first home run of the season, a solo shot to lead off the inning. After two more hits, Justin Edwards had an RBI groundout for the Tornadoes' sixth run.
The Skyhawks picked up their first run of the game (and day) in the fifth inning when Frazier doubled, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Yohanny Valera ground out. Edwards responded with his second RBI of the game, singling in Pena for the 7-1 lead.
Sussex wouldn't go quietly, scoring two more in the seventh on a Walter Young home run for the 7-3 final.
After an off day on Monday, the Tornadoes continue their seven-game homestand Tuesday with a 6:05 p.m. tilt vs. Atlantic City. Shaun McNamara takes the hill for Worcester, looking to pick up his first win of the season. 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.
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Canadian American League Stories from June 1, 2008
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- Pride Release Groff; Sign Sammy Rosario - American Defenders of New Hampshire
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