Boulders Rally To Stop Rox, 6-5

The Rockland Boulders were able to rally late and hold off the Brockton Rox by the score of 6-5 on Italian Heritage Night at Provident Bank Park. 

The Boulders offense was led by Ryde Rodriguez, who went 2-4 and drove in five runs, which included a game-winning three run home run in the eighth inning.

With runs at a minimum early in the game, Rockland’s Bobby Blevins was locked in a pitchers duel with Brockton’s John Kelly.  Blevins pitched seven innings allowing five runs on eight hits, while walking one and striking out five.  Kelly went six, allowing no runs on three hits, while walking one and striking out four.

Brockton struck in the second inning with three consecutive hits off Blevins, including an RBI double from Mike Torres to take an early lead.  Melvin Falu then contributed with a sacrifice fly to center field, putting the Rox up 2-0.

Rockland came back in the seventh off of relief pitcher, Jake Loye. After the Boulders put together back-to-back singles, Rodriguez doubled off the wall in left field to score Norm Hutchins and Cristobal Santana to tie the game at two.  Later in the inning, Ray Stokes singled to left field on a 1-2 count to score Rodriguez and give the Boulders a 3-2 lead.

The Rox battled back in the eighth.  Chris Valencia led off with a home run to tie the game at three.  The inning continued as Keith Brachold doubled down the right field line to score Dominic Ramos and put Brockton back on top.  Later in the inning, Torres would drive in his second run of the game on a fielder’s choice to extend the Rox’s lead to 5-3.

In the bottom of the inning, Rodriguez struck again for the Boulders.  Facing Brockton closer Jake Hale, Rodriguez hit a three run home run to right field to give the Boulders the lead for good at 6-5.

Adrian Martin sealed the victory in the ninth for his fourth win of the season.

The Boulders (15-19, 34-46) will play the series finale against Brockton (21-15, 47-35) tonight at Provident Bank Park.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Ryan Knippschild (1-4) will make his seventh start for the Boulders as he squares off against Brockton’s Dustin Birosak (7-1).