New Jersey left-hander Isaac Pavlik (1-1), who did not return to the mound after the one hour, 15 minute delay following the final out of the fifth inning, tossed five shutout frames in his first start of the season to earn the win. The New Jersey native scattered four hits, walked two, and struck out three. Pavlik had appeared in four games out of the Jackals bullpen this season after leading the team with 18 starts in 2009.

The Jackals collected a season-high seven extra-base hits as they built an early 7-0 lead against Brockton starter Logan Williamson. In the first inning, a two-out RBI double to left center by first baseman Jabe Bergeron was followed by a two-run single off the bat of left fielder Jordan Newton to give the Jackals a 3-0 advantage. The Jackals extended their lead to 6-0 in the third when designated hitter Jacob Butler launched a two-run home run to right center before shortstop Mike DeJesus added with a run-scoring double down the left field line.

After the Jackals plated a run in the bottom of the fifth on a Bergeron double and a Newton RBI single to make it 7-0, the skies opened up, forcing the tarp onto the field.

Once the teams returned to action, Brockton put up five runs against reliever Luis Fernandez in the top of the sixth to pull within two at 7-5. Fernandez retired the first two batters he faced before loading the bases on a walk by third baseman Phillip Cuadrado, a single by second baseman Scott Wearne, and a bunt single from shortstop Dominic Ramos. Rookie catcher Dan Coury laced his second double of the contest to cut the Brockton deficit to 7-2. Two batters later, right fielder Keith Brachold continued his hot hitting in the series when he tripled to center with the bases loaded before Fernandez escaped the jam by retiring first baseman Melvin Falu to preserve the two-run Jackals’ lead.

In the top of the ninth, Brockton used a Falu walk and a single by left fielder Mike Conroy to put the tying run on base with one out, but Jackals closer Romas Hicks induced a game-ending double play off the bat of Cuadrado to seal the win. Hicks has saved all five of New Jersey’s victories this season.

In the win, New Jersey’s Dan Griffin and Mike Pontius each chipped in a scoreless inning of relief. The loss went to Williamson (0-1), who surrendered seven runs on nine hits in five innings of work. Offensively, Newton went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs for the second straight contest to finish the series 8-for-16 with seven RBIs.

The Jackals enjoy their first day off this season on Monday before beginning a three-game series against the Pittsfield Colonials on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m at Yogi Berra Stadium. The game-one pitching matchup will feature a rematch of last Wednesday’s contest as New Jersey sends left-hander A.J. Wideman (1-1, 3.37 ERA) to the mound on his 25^th birthday against Pittsfield southpaw and former Jackal Dave Qualben (0-1, 2.46 ERA). Pittsfield took two of three from New Jersey earlier this week in Massachusetts. Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

Jackal Bites: Pavlik earned his 36^th career win in a Jackals uniform, moving him within one of tying Aaron Myers for the second-most in team history…  With runners on second and third in the second inning, a diving Argenis Reyes snagged a liner off the bat of Brockton center fielder Chris Valencia to end the inning and keep the Rox off the scoreboard… The Jackals did not commit an error in the four-game series against Brockton. They lead the league in fielding percentage and have committed a league-low seven errors in 11 contests… Brachold drove in seven runs in the series for Brockton… The Rox are now 0-6 when their opponent scores the game’s first run… Brockton’s six losses have been by a total of just eight runs while New Jersey’s five wins have come by seven runs.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2010 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

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.

RHP Wayne Lundgren could not match his first start, throwing four innings and giving up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits. The Brockton bullpen held the Skyhawk lineup at bay for the remaining five innings, but the Rox offense just could not finish the late comeback, leaving seven runners on base.

After the Skyhawks (4-3) strung a couple of hits together to score a run in the first, the Rox (3-3) responded with a run in the top of the fourth on 3B Phillip Cuadrado‘s single, scoring 1B Melvin Falu. Unfortunately, that tie would be quickly erased as the Sussex bats heated up in the bottom of the inning, as Lundgren struggled to retire the side. The Skyhawks scored six runs in the inning on five hits, and that would be all Sussex would need.

DH Scott Wearne stayed hot, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs on the day, batting in two in the sixth and one in the eight. The Rox also scored another run in the top of the fifth on CF Chris Valencia‘s double, scoring SS Dominic Ramos. Those runs would not be enough to finish the sweep of the Skyhawks.

Sussex starter Jusef Frias got the win, going six innings, striking out eight and only allowing two earned runs. Lundgren was charged with the loss and Skyhawk closer Duaner Sanchez recorded his third save of the season. The Rox pen provided another stellar performance, as RHP Buster Lussier and LHP Dustin Birosak combined for a solid four innings pitched giving up no runs with four strikeouts.

The Rox will try to return to their winning ways tomorrow as they head to Little Falls, N.J. to take on the New Jersey Jackals, in the first game of a four-game set. RHP Mike Smith (1-0, 3.38) will take the mound for Brockton against Boston College alum RHP Nick Asselin in a 7:05 p.m. start at Yogi Berra Stadium.

The game was scoreless until the third when the Rox (3-2) put two on the board on a two-run double by C Chris Grossman. Sussex (3-3) broke onto the scoreboard in the fourth on an RBI groundout by 2B Chase Fontaine. Brockton assumed a 3-1 advantage in the seventh when 2B Melvin Falu scored from third base on an error by relief pitcher RHP Jared Yecker.

Brockton starter LHP Logan Williamson was solid in his first outing with the Rox, going 6.2 innings, allowing just one run on three hits with six strikeouts and one walk. He did not end up factoring into the decision.

The Rox held a 3-1 lead into the ninth inning, but RHP Josh Papelbon allowed Sussex to rally back with one out. Fontaine reached on an infield single and then CF Carl Loadenthal tripled to score him. DH Caleb Stewart singled in the next at-bat to tie the game at 3-3.

In the top of the 10th, Brockton reassumed the lead on a sacrifice fly by CF Chris Valencia. They added an insurance run on the hustle of SS Dominic Ramos, as he scored from second on an infield single by RF Keith Brachold.

Papelbon pitched the bottom of the inning and kept the Skyhawks at bay to give the Rox the 5-4 victory. Sussex added an unearned run against Papelbon, but with the tying run at third and the winning run at first, he forced a groundout to end it.

The loss was issued to Sussex reliever RHP Donald Jordat, who allowed two runs in the 10th on two hits and one walk. He drops to 0-2 on the season, while Papelbon picks up his first victory of the season to go along with a blown save.

The series finale is slated for Wednesday morning at 10:05 a.m. as the Rox look for the sweep. RHP Wayne Lundgren (0-0, 3.60) will take the mound against Sussex RHP Jusef Frias (0-0, 18.00). The Rox will then continue their nine-game road trip with the first of four games at New Jersey on Thursday evening.

The Rox (2-2) got on the board in the first inning when RF Keith Brachold tripled with one out and 1B Melvin Falu singled to bring him home. After Falu moved to second on a wild pitch, LF Mike Conroy doubled to score Falu, and then two batters later, C Chris Grossman hit a sacrifice fly to score the third run of the frame.

Brockton tacked on single runs in the third and fifth. Grossman connected on an RBI double in the third and 3B Phillip Cuadrado plated Brockton’s fifth run in the fifth with a single. Meanwhile, RHP Freddy Flores was cruising and finished the contest with a line of two runs on five hits over six innings of work, to pick up his first victory of the year.

The Rox added a four-spot in the sixth as CF Chris Valencia stroked a two-run triple. Conroy and 2B Derek Kinzler each added an RBI in the frame. Falu, Conroy, Cuadrado, SS Dominic Ramos and DH Scott Wearne all had multiple-hit games for Brockton. Conroy was the top performer, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Sussex (3-2) scored one run each in the fifth and sixth. The run in the fifth inning came home on a double-play ball, while 2B Chase Fontaine doubled home a man in the sixth. Skyhawks starter Tim Stringer pitched five innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits as he was dealt the defeat.

DH Caleb Stewart was the only Skyhawk to have two hits as they only managed seven hits for the contest. LF Kraig Binick, Fontaine, 1B Kris Sanchez, RF Kade Keowen and C Jon Gossard accounted for the other five base knocks.

Brockton’s bullpen was strong as well, RHP Buster Lussier pitched two full innings, allowing only two hits. RHP Josh Papelbon made his Rox debut, pitching a perfect ninth in a non-save situation.

The three-game series between the Rox and Skyhawks continues on Tuesday evening at 7:05 p.m. LHP Logan Williamson (NR) will make his debut for Brockton and will be opposed by LHP Jeff Icenogle (1-0, 0.00). Icenogle was tabbed Can-Am League Pitcher of the Week for his five innings of shutout work on Thursday against New Jersey.

The game was relatively quiet through the first five and a half innings, with Worcester grinding out the game’s only score on a run-scoring double play in the third.

The Rox took the lead in the sixth on LF Mike Conroy’s two-run blast, the first home run by a Brockton player this season. The Tornadoes then roared back with four runs in the seventh on SS Omar Pena’s two-out grand slam off of Rox starter Mike Wlodarczyk, making the score 5-2 in favor of the visitors.

Brockton quickly closed the gap in the bottom half of the frame, with SS Dominic Ramos scoring on an error before RF Keith Brachold hit a game-tying two-run home run.

The game stayed 5-5 until Asadoorian’s home run in the ninth. Brockton threatened in the ninth when 2B Derek Kinzler hit a one-out single, but he was subsequently thrown out trying to stretch it into a doube.

Both starters received no-decisions in the games. In his first start of the season, Wlodarczyk was splendid through his first six innings of work, limiting the Tornadoes to the lone run on three hits. He fanned 11 Worcester hitters in total. Matt McDonald was sharp for Worcester, giving up two runs on four hits with three strikeouts in six innings.

Albert Ayala (1-0) received the win for the Tornadoes, while Colin Lynch took the loss in the rubber game of the series.

Conroy led the Brockton hitting attack with a 2-for-3 afternoon, while Asadoorian and Pena both had two hits for Worcester.

The Rox start a nine-day road trip with a 1:05 p.m. contest at Sussex on Monday afternoon, with Freddy Flores on the mound against Tim Stringer.

After the two teams sat through a one hour, thirty-five minute rain delay before the game, Brockton took a lead that it would never relinquish with a four-run second inning, aided by three Worcester errors and a bases-clearing single from Brachold.

Worcester (1-1) responded with a pair of runs in the third on RBI singles from 2B Mark Minicozzi and 1B Nick Salotti, but the Rox came back with two more runs in their half of the frame to take a 6-2 lead.

The score remained that way until the sixth when Brockton (1-1) broke the game wide open, plating five runs courtesy of a two-run single from Brachold and a bases-clearing double by 3B Phillip Cuadrado. The Rox finished their scoring in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by C Chris Grossman and a bases-loaded walk to SS Dominic Ramos, making it a 13-2 game. Worcester tacked on a single tally in the ninth for the game’s final run.

The offensive explosion overshadowed a good start for former major-leaguer Mike Smith, (1-0) who allowed two runs on six hits, fanning five in five and one-third innings of work. Buster Lussier had an excellent outing out of the bullpen in relief for Smith, fanning three and allowing no runs in two and two-thirds innings. Baron Short (0-1) was saddled with the loss for Worcester, giving up six runs in five innings.

One night after mustering just five singles in the season-opening 3-2 loss, five different Brockton players had multiple-hit evenings. Cuadrado was 3-for-4 with four RBI, while Valencia, Grossman and 1B Melvin Falu had a pair of hits each. LF Vinny Pennell, Minicozzi and Salotti each had two-hit nights for the Tornadoes.

The two clubs will meet in the rubber match of the three-game set on Sunday at 1:05 p.m., with Brockton lefthander Mike Wlodarczyk toeing the slab in his first start of the season against Worcester’s John Kelly. It’s the first Sunday Family Fun Day of the year at the ballpark, with kids playing catch on the field before the game and running the bases afterward.

**********

Worcester      002 000 001 – 3 11 4

Brockton         042 005 200 – 13 15 0

W: Smith (1-0)  L: Short (0-1).  S: None.

HR: None.

Time: 3:10. A: 1,396.

The two teams played scoreless baseball until Worcester brought home two runs on back-to-back two-out RBI singles from CF Billy Cather and LF Vinny Pennell in the fifth. The Rox responded with a tally in their half of the frame as SS Dominic Ramos drove in LF Mike Conroy with a sacrifice fly.

Brockton (0-1) was able to engineer the game-tying run in the sixth when CF Chris Valencia singled, stole second, went to third on RF Keith Brachold’s groundout, and came home on 1B Melvin Falu’s groundout to short.

Worcester (1-0) quickly responded with the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh; 2B Mark Minicozzi drove in RF Eric Asadoorian on a two-out RBI single off of reliever Santo Maertz (0-1) for the eventual game-winner. The Rox bats went quietly the rest of the way, managing just one hit off of relievers Albert Ayala and John Slusarz, who registered the save.

Chris Farley (1-0) earned the victory for the Tornadoes, allowing two runs on four hits in six innings of work.

Worcester C Alex Trezza was the only player on either team with a multiple-hit evening, going 2-for-4 with a double. Valencia, Conroy, C Chris Grossman, Ramos and DH Scott Wearne all had hits for the Rox.

In his debut for Brockton, lefthander Dustin Birosak threw a scoreless inning and a third of relief.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night at Campanelli Stadium at 6:05 p.m. Brockton RHP Mike Smith will face Tornadoes RHP Baron Short.

–agate—

Worcester      000 020 100 – 3 9 0

Brockton         000 011 000 – 2 5 0

W: Farley (1-0).  L: Maertz (0-1).  S: Slusarz (1).

HR: None.

Time: 2:32. A: 3,010.

The starting rotation is anchored by RHP Wayne Lundgren, who will make his second straight opening day start for the Rox.  Lundgren was 9-5 last year with a 2.75 ERA and a league-leading five complete games. He will be joined at the top of the rotation by former major-leaguer RHP Mike Smith, who pitched for Toronto in 2002 and Minnesota in 2006.

LHP Mike Wlodarczyk, RHP Freddy Flores and LHP Logan Williamson will round out the rotation for Brockton.  Wlodarczyk, a newcomer to the Rox and a former Boston College hurler, spent the previous five seasons in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.  Flores was stellar with Brockton in 2009, registering a 6-5 record and a 3.93 ERA.  Williamson joins the Rox after being acquired from Grand Prairie of the American Association.

The bullpen has two members of last year’s staff returning for the 2010 season.  LHP Brad Hertzler, who was placed on the inactive list Thursday, will look to follow up a solid 2009 as he compiled a 3.70 ERA in 48.2 innings.  RHP Buster Lussier is back in Brockton after joining the team mid-season in 2009, picking up a 3-0 mark and a 4.02 ERA working as a starter and reliever.

RHP Josh Papelbon has been tabbed as the team’s closer to start the 2010 campaign.  Papelbon, a submarine-style hurler and the brother of Boston Red Sox hurler Jonathan Papelbon, was a 2006 draft pick of the Red Sox and last year put together a 2.94 ERA in 64.2 innings in Single-A and Double-A.

Lefty Dustin Birosak and righties Colin Lynch and Santo Maertz round out the relief corps for the Rox in 2010.  RHP Keith Noe and RHP Adam Piechowski will also begin the season on the inactive list.

Offensively the Rox return the bulk of their 2009 lineup to the team in 2010.  Reigning Can-Am League Rookie of the Year Chris Valencia is back in Brockton to man center field.  Valencia put together a .309 average and 107 hits in 93 games played last year.  Melvin Falu will shift to the outfield after back-to-back outstanding seasons.  In 2008, Falu set league and team records with a .383 average and 140 hits, and in 2009 he followed up with a .328 batting average.

Keith Brachold will play his second consecutive year in Brockton and his third overall after leading the team with 65 RBI in 2009.  Newly acquired Mike Conroy will join Valencia, Falu and Brachold in the outfield for the Rox.  Conroy, from Scituate, Mass., was a first-round draft choice of the Cleveland Indians in 2001.

All four infield spots have a returning player for the 2010 season.  Phillip Cuadrado, a switch-hitter, will man the hot corner, while Dominic Ramos will be the club’s shortstop. Both are entering their third consecutive seasons with the team.  Cuadrado belted eight home runs in 2009, and Ramos has totaled 100+ hits in each of the last two seasons.

Derek Kinzler, who joined the Rox in August of 2009, will be looked upon to play the majority of the time at second base.  In 18 games with the Rox last year, Kinzler hit .310 with two homers and eight RBI. 

Clyde Williams, a left-handed power bat, will see time as the club’s first baseman as well as designated hitter.  Williams came over from New Hampshire in June of 2009, and finished the year with a total of 16 home runs and 64 RBI.  Scott Wearne comes to Brockton after playing professionally in his native Australia and will see time at both second base and shortstop for the Rox in 2010.

The Rox will have two active catchers, including Chris Grossman, who starts his second year in Brockton.  Grossman played in 79 games last season with a .296 average.  He will be backed up by Fall River, Mass., native Dan Coury.  Coury spent last season in the Atlanta Braves organization.

Manager Chris Carminucci is back at the helm for his second season after leading the Rox to a franchise-high 56 victories in 2009 and a berth in the playoffs for the first time since 2007.  Brockton mainstay Ed Nottle also returns as pitching coach in 2010, while Dan McNamara will serve as bullpen coach and first-base coach.

The Brockton Rox regular season opens up this Friday, May 28 with a 7:05 home game against the Worcester Tornadoes.  Single-game tickets are on sale now through the club’s web site, brocktonrox.com or by calling the box office at 508-559-7070.

Twice Brockton erased a deficit, and did so without scoring an earned run in the entire game.  Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning, the Rox scored three unearned runs to take a 3-2 lead.  Capitales’ CF Goefrey Tomlinson dropped a fly ball off the bat of Brockton’s DH Palmer Karr to start the inning.  Karr took second base on the error.  LF Keith Brachold singled to plate Karr after a ground out.  Then 2B Melvin Falu doubled into the right field corner to push Brachold to third base.  Brachold scored on a ground out and Falu scored on a subsequent RBI double by C Chris Grossman.

Meanwhile, RHP Buster Lussier was called on in emergency relief after Rox starter LHP Bryan Morse left in the first inning with tendonitis in his forearm.  Lussier retired the first four batters he faced, getting the last out in the first inning and working a 1-2-3 second inning.  However, Quebec re-captured the lead with two runs in the third against Lussier who surrendered three total in his 4.1 innings of work.  The third run Lussier allowed gave Quebec a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning.  3B Patrick Deschenes doubled to bring home 1B Pierre-Luc Laforest.

Quebec committed its second of three errors to open the sixth inning when SS Ivan Naccarata threw wildly to first on a ground ball by RF Jud Thigpen.  The Rox capitalized by scoring four runs in the inning on three hits and another Capitales’ error.  The final run of the inning scored on a wild play.  With 3B Phillip Cuadrado at third and Grossman at first, SS Dominic Ramos singled to left field.  Grossman went to third and Ramos found himself hung up in a run down between first and second.  Quebec left field Tony Lewis threw to the cutoff man, Naccarata who turned and threw to second base, catching Ramos between first and second base.  In the ensuing rundown, Grossman bolted for home and the attempt to throw him out skipped beyond Capitales’ catcher Patrick D’Aoust.  Grossman scored and Ramos reached second base safely.

The Rox bullpen was terrific as RHP Matt Zachary earned the win, following Lussier’s 4.1 innings with two scoreless frames of his own.  LHP Brad Hertzler extended his scoreless innings streak to 12 with a scoreless eighth and RHP Jerry Dunn picked up his seventh save of the year getting the final three outs.

The two teams complete the series on Monday at 6:05 PM at Campanelli Stadium.  Quebec will send RHP Michel Simard (4-4, 3.36 ERA) out to match up against Rox LHP Craig Anderson (4-2, 2.58 ERA).