Nandin's Walk-Off Single Lifts Boulders Over AirHogs

After two frustrating defeats, the finally got a big hit to roast the AirHogs Wednesday at Provident Bank Park in Pomona.

Rockland overcame an early 3-0 deficit and came back to beat Grand Prairie, 5-4, on a walk-off single by in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Nandin’s hit drove in Jon Smith, who doubled to lead off the ninth and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Chris Valencia.

Just as the night before, Grand Prairie found the scoreboard first, scoring three runs right off the bat.

But unlike that game, the Boulders were able to battle back. With one out in the third, Keith Brachold’s RBI triple got Rockland on the board. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by the newly acquired Phillip Cuadrado to make it 3-2.

After the Air Hogs added a run in the top of the fifth, Rockland struck again in the seventh. Cole Kraft doubled to lead off the frame, and then scored when catcher Zane Chavez’s throw went into left field on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Landis Wilson, who went to second on the error. Wilson moved to third on a ground out then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.

It was all-tied entering the bottom of the ninth, setting up a dramatic win for the home team, the second walk-off victory of the homestand.

Jon Velasquez gave up four earned runs on six hits in his six innings of work, striking out two and walking a pair.

Rockland managed to scratch across four runs off Grand Prairie starter Nick DeBarr, who came into the game leading the American Association in wins and ERA.

Rockland goes for the split tonight with RHP Pat Moran on the hill opposing AirHogs’ LHP Teddy Nowell.