RAMAPO, New York – The Rockland Boulders found themselves on the wrong side of the pitchers duel on Tuesday night as they drop game two to the Brockton Rox 4-1 in Can-Am League action.
Rockland starter Bobby Blevins gave up just three runs in 8.1 innings pitched, but Mike Smith gave up just one in 7.1 innings for Brockton, as the Rox bullpen kept the Boulders off the board. All three runs scored on Blevins came on home runs.
“Bobby threw a fantastic game,” said manager Dave LaPoint. “He threw one bad pitch in the first and then he found his rhythm.”
Brockton got on the board early after the Can-Am League’s Hitter of the Week, Keith Brachold, slammed a two-run blast over the short porch in right field with Chris Valencia on base.
The Boulders chipped away at Brockton’s early lead in the bottom of the first with a run of their own. After Sean Smith, leading off for the first time this season, hit a double down the left field line and moved up to third on a ground out, Cristobal Santana grounded out to short, allowing Smith to touch home and bring Rockland within one.
The Boulders had a chance to tie the game and more in the bottom of the third with the bases loaded and two outs, but Todd Jennings flew out to left field, ending Rockland’s threat.
Valencia began the fifth inning for Brockton with a perfect bunt single down the third base line. He stole his 12th base of the season two pitches later to put himself halfway home. Blevins took care of Valencia before the next pitch with a beautiful pickoff move to catch Valencia stealing. The next two Brockton batters reached base and stood on second and third after a Blevins pitch ended up at the backstop.
Jorge Jimenez stepped in for the Rox with a chance to do some damage. With one strike, Jimenez drilled the ball to right field that was destined for the seats in the short porch, but Tommy Giles leaped and stretched his body over the wall to make the grab, robbing Jimenez of a three run homer and helping Blevins escape trouble.
Riding the momentum of Giles’ grab, the Boulders quickly put runners at the corners with one away in the bottom of the fifth. Santana came up trying to tie the game, but another ground ball to the shortstop Dominic Ramos led to a double play to end the inning.
Pitching remained strong, as there were no runs scored after the first until the ninth inning. Ryan Royster led off the final frame with a round-tripper into the left field grandstands for an insurance run as the Rox stretched their lead to 3-1. A double by Shawn Williams chased Blevins from the game after 8.1 strong innings. A pair of sacrifice bunts brought Williams around to score the final run of the game.
“It’s a tough one, but we’ll come tomorrow night and get it back,” said Blevins.
The Rockland Boulders (8-14) and the Brockton Rox will play the rubber match of the three game series at Provident Bank Park on Wednesday night. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
Rockland sends its only left-handed starter Roger Lincoln (1-2) to the mound on Wednesday to face Brockton’s Robert Bono (2-0).
Catch all the action live at www.rocklandboulders.com and follow @CanAmBoulders on Twitter for more Boulders updates.
Great tickets are still on sale for Rockland Boulders home games, and can be purchased online at www.rocklandboulders.com or by calling 845-364-0009.
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