QUEBEC CITY, CA – (July 3, 2009) – The Brockton Rox dropped a 5-3 loss to the Quebec Capitales on Friday night at Le Stade Municipal in Quebec City to open a weekend series.  Brockton took a 3-2 lead in the seventh inning after erasing a 2-0 deficit, only to watch it slip away in the bottom of the inning in a three-run rally by the Capitales.

After a one-hour and forty-five minute delay of the first pitch due to inclement weather, the Rox jumped out with three straight singles to start the game.  However, SS Dominic Ramos was thrown out at the plate in the inning and Brockton was unable to push across a run.

Meanwhile, Quebec scored a run in the first and second innings against Rox starter LHP Craig Anderson. Anderson settled in over the middle innings, and allowed just one base runner, a two-out single in the fourth, over the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth innings.

Anderson’s strong middle innings gave the Rox the opportunity to climb back in the contest.  Brockton evened the score at two runs apiece with a pair of runs in the third inning.  1B Clyde Williams and DH Palmer Karr picked up an RBI in the inning.

With the game still tied in the top of the seventh inning, C Chris Grossman delivered a leadoff double for the Rox.  Ramos moved him to third with a sacrifice bunt, and CF Chris Valecia gave the Rox the lead with a sacrifice fly.

The advantage was short-lived however as Quebec answered with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the seventh.  Brockton also committed a costly error, and LHP Brad Hertzler was charged with a balk which allowed a run to score in the seventh inning; all leading to two unearned runs.

The Rox and Capitales revive the series on Saturday night when Brockton RHP Wayne Lundgren (3-3, 3.47 ERA) will face former Cy Young Award winner RHP Eric Gagne (0-1, 10.80 ERA) of the Capitales.  Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.