ROX FALL FRIDAY NIGHT; BILL LEE TO PITCH SAT NIGHT

Monger gives
Worcester first lead on game-winning single
in final frame

 

 

(Brockton, Mass. – August 19, 2011) – Trailing 3-2 heading into the ninth inning, the Worcester Tornadoes (19-11, 40-37) rallied for four runs on five hits, besting Jimmer Kennedy and the Brockton Rox  (20-12, 46-32) 6-3 on the way to a series opening victory at Campanelli Stadium Friday night.

Alex Trezza and Nick Salotti started the rally against Kennedy (2-2) with back-to-back singles to
open the ninth, followed by a Ryan Crespi walk to load the bases.  Tony Patane smacked a single to tie
the game, before Cameron Monger gave the Tornadoes their first lead with a two-run single.  Alex Nunez
added the final tally, as Worcester pulled even with Brockton in the second half standings and spoiled the potential win for Dustin Birosak.

Birosak tossed seven and 2/3 strong innings in the no decision, allowing two runs on  five hits, while striking out five and walking none.  The only damage against the southpaw came on  three straight hits in the fourth frame, capped off by Trezza’s two-run double  that tied the game at two.

Brockton  assumed the early lead, scoring a run on three straight singles in the first  inning and a Tucker Nathans sacrifice fly in the second, making the score  2-0.  Worcester went on to tie the game  in the fourth, but Mike Torres connected for an RBI triple as the Rox  retook the lead in the fifth.

Torres  finished the evening 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.  Dominic Ramos (3-for-4, SB) and
Shawn Williams (2-for-4, RBI) also had multi-hit games for the  Rox.

Kevin  Cooper took a no  decision, giving up three runs on six hits in five innings, but it was Nick
Serino (3-5) who earned the win with two and 1/3 innings of scoreless  relief.

Albert  Ayala locked down  his second save with a scoreless ninth, striking out two.

The battle  for first place in the second half continues with game two Saturday night at  7:05 p.m.  Zach  Zuercher (11-4, 3.95) gets the call for the Tornadoes and will be opposed by Jake Loye (3-4, 4.05) as the Rox look to even the series.

Bill ” Spaceman” Lee (64) will pitch on Saturday night for the Rox when they take on Worcester. The former Red Sox All-Star pitched for the Rox last Labor Day weekend and picked up a win.

KEVIN HARRIMAN 

 

 

BILL LEE ON THE MOUND FOR ROX

BILL “SPACEMAN” LEE BACK FOR CELEBRITY
SATURDAY

Brockton, Mass. – The Brockton Rox of the Can-Am
League announced on Thursday that former Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos lefthanded hurler Bill Lee will be
on hand to sign autographs and throw out the pre-game ceremonial first pitch on Saturday, August 20 at 7:05 p.m., as the Rox take on the Worcester Tornadoes.

Lee, 64, returns to Campanelli Stadium nearly one year after setting the professional baseball record as the oldest pitcher to win a game, picking up the victory for the Rox over Worcester on September 5, 2010. His hat and glove from the game were procured by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., for their  archives.

One of the best southpaws in Red Sox history, Lee pitched for the team from 1969 through 1978, and owns the franchise record for games pitched by a lefthander with 321. The native of Burbank, Calif., won 17 games each season from 1973 to 1975, was selected to the 1973 American League All-Star team, and was a member of the 1975 American League champions. He was traded to the Expos in 1979, where he won 16 games in the first of his four seasons there. 

  Lee currently lives in Vermont and pitches over 200 innings per year in over-40 men’s leagues in New England and Atlantic Canada. One of baseball’s more colorful personalities during his playing days, he has also published four books, and owns his own bat company which provides lumber for major league players, including David Ortiz. He was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2008.

 The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a voucher good for one item autographed by Lee. All other fans are not guaranteed an autograph. Tickets for the game are available through the Rox box office by calling (508) 559-7070, or visiting brocktonrox.com.

KEVIN HARRIMAN