Little Falls, N.J. – Brockton RF Keith Brachold went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer and four RBI, but the Rox lost another one-run contest, 5-4, to the New Jersey Jackals on Saturday evening at Yogi Berra Stadium. The Rox (4-5) are now 1-4 in games decided by one run.

The game’s first three innings were scoreless as both starting pitchers, Brockton RHP Freddy Flores and New Jersey RHP Chris Allen, started the game strong. The Jackals (4-6) drew first blood in the fourth inning on a two-out, two-run double by C Jordan Newton.

It remained 2-0 Jackals until the top of the sixth when CF Chris Valencia led off with a single and then Brachold followed with the two-run longball to right field. The homer was Brachold’s second of the campaign. Brockton then jumped ahead in the seventh when Brachold sent a seeing-eye single through the right side of the infield to plate C Chris Grossman.

The 3-2 advantage for the Rox did not last long. In the bottom of the seventh New Jersey tied it up on a wild pitch which scored Newton from third base. The Jackals then assumed a two-run lead in the eighth on an RBI single by LF Jacob Butler and a sacrifice fly RBI from Newton.

Down 5-3, Brockton would score a run against Jackals closer RHP Romas Hicks in the ninth. With two outs, Valencia reached on an infield single. Brachold then sent a deep shot to right field that hit the top of the wall for an RBI double. After Brachold moved to third on a passed ball, 1B Melvin Falu would fly out to right to end the game.

RHP Edward Rodriguez (1-1) earned the win for New Jersey out of the pen, throwing 1.1 perfect innings with one strikeout. Hicks picked up his fourth save in as many attempts for the Jackals. Brockton RHP Santo Maertz (0-2) was saddled with the defeat after he put the go-ahead run on base in the eighth.

Both starters received no-decisions. Allen for the Jackals allowed three earned runs on ten hits in 6.2 innings with one walk and no strikeouts. Flores was solid again in 6+ innings, surrendering three earned runs on seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

New Jersey’s Newton was 2-for-3, driving in three runs, while his teammates 2B Abraham Nunez and Butler each had multiple hits. Valencia for Brockton was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Grossman added a 2-for-4 day for the Rox.

The finale of the four-game series is set for Sunday afternoon with a 2:05 first pitch. It will be LHP Logan Williamson (0-0, 1.35 ERA) on the mound for the Rox against New Jersey LHP Isaac Pavlik (0-0, 1.59). Brockton will then continue their nine-game road trip with two games at the Sussex Skyhawks on Monday and Tuesday evening.