Casey Hodges threw eight innings for the Rockland Boulders on Sunday evening to beat the New York Federals at Provident Bank Park in Pomona, 7-5, in Can-Am League baseball action.
Hodges gave up just one earned run on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Rockland’s bullpen has pitched just two innings in relief in the first three games of this series.
The Federals (4-25) sent Michael Streaman to the mound on Sunday. Streaman only gave up three hits in five innings, but seven walks and an error led to seven runs for the Boulders.
John Candelier got things started for the Boulders in the second. He earned his first RBI as a Boulder, as he walked with the bases loaded. Ray Stokes did the same to bring Deybis Benitez around to score for the second Boulder run. A Sean Smith single followed by an error allowed the Boulders to bring in two more runs with two outs.
With the bases still loaded, Tommy Giles slammed a double down the first-base line to clear the bases, giving the Boulders a 7-0 lead after two innings. Giles’ double was only the second base hit by the Boulders in the inning.
Refusing to go down easy, the Federals got to Rockland pitching in the top of the ninth. After the first two batters reached base, Ray Stokes booted two straight ground balls that could have become double plays. The Federals brought their second run in after Hodges walked a batter with bases loaded. A fielder’s choice allowed another to score, and then a Robert Dyer single brought in two more. Kyle Wilson was able to get two outs in the ninth for the Boulders, but Adrian Martin came in for the final out to earn his seventh save of the season.
The Rockland Boulders (11-15) will host the Federals in the final game of this four-game series at Provident Bank Park tonight at 7:05 p.m.
Rockland’s top pitcher Bobby Blevins (2-1) gets the start tonight against New York’s James Kukucka (1-1).
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