Quebec Rallies To Beat Boulders

The Quebec Capitales rallied late in the game to defeat the Rockland Boulders 6-5 in extra innings on Sunday afternoon to take the rubber match in Can-Am League action at Provident Bank Park in Pomona.

The combined efforts of Rockland relievers Brett Carroll, Adrian Martin, and Casey Hodges could not preserve the win for starter Jonathan Velasquez, who pitched his 10th consecutive quality start while also striking out a season-high nine batters.

Velasquez pitched seven innings, giving up one run on seven hits however received the no-decision.  The righty was able to work his way out of trouble on numerous occasions, as he didn’t pitch his first perfect inning until the sixth.

Velasquez’ only flaw was the second inning, which saw Quebec put runners on first and second with one out.  Chase Weems then allowed a passed ball that allowed each runner to move up one base.  Geofrey Tomlinson followed with a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Matt Blazynski giving Quebec an early 1-0 lead.

The Boulders answered back in the fourth when Ryan Mollica got on base due to an error by first baseman, Rene Leveret.  Jeremy Slayden and Barry Wesson followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases for Norm Hutchins.  Hutchins doubled down the right field line, which scored Mollica and Slayden to give the Boulders a 2-1 lead.  Rockland would add to their edge after a Cole Kraft sacrifice fly scored Slayden to make the game 3-1.

Rockland went back to work in the seventh.  Ray Stokes and Weems led off the inning with back-to-back singles.  With two outs, Mollica walked to load the bases for Slayden.  Slayden followed through with a single, which drove in Stokes and Weems to give the Boulders a 5-1 advantage.

Quebec rallied to tie the game in the eighth after a double-steal advanced runners to second and third.  Helps singled in Mitch Delaney to cut Rockland’s lead to 5-2, and chased Carroll from the game.  Martin would come in and give up an infield single to Tomlinson, which plated another run making the score 5-3.  Quebec then loaded the bases for Sebastian Boucher, who singled and drove in two more runs to tie the game.

In the top of the tenth, Hodges came into pitch for Rockland and walked Helps with one out in the inning.  Helps would advance to second on a wild pitch and score on a Tomlinson double to left-center field giving Quebec the lead for good at 6-5.

The Worcester Tornadoes (10-4, 31-30) make their second visit to Provident Bank Park on Monday night to start a three game series with the Boulders (6-8, 25-35).  First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Will Hassett (3-4) will make his fourth start for the Boulders as he faces off against Worcester’s Shawn Gilblair (3-4).