Brockton Rox Still Stymied by Sussex Skyhawks in 2-0 Shutout

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – Brockton, MA (July 17, 2008) – The Brockton Rox continued a season-long quest to figure out the Sussex Skyhawks on Thursday but faced similar results to the first six meetings between the two teams as the Rox were shut out 2-0 at Campanelli Stadium.  Sussex has won six of the seven meetings between the two teams this season.

Skyhawks’ starter RHP Justin Knoff was returning to the Can-Am League for the first time since 2006, when he pitched his final game of that season in Game Two of the First Round of the Can-Am League Playoffs for the New Haven County Cutters and lost to the Rox.  Knoff proved he had a long memory and shut out Brockton, scattering four hits and three walks while striking out six on the night.  He was signed as a free agent just days ago after being released by the El Paso Diablos of the American Association. 

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Sussex scored once in the first inning and again in the fifth inning for the only two runs of the game.  Rox starter RHP Stevie Delabar took the loss but pitched out of some tough jams.  The Skyhawks loaded up the bases in the third inning and Delabar struck out DH Walter Young and popped up LF Alex Frazier to end the threat.  Then in the fifth inning, the Skyhawks loaded the bases again for Young who this time drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, but the Rox turned it in to a double play, throwing out SS Kevin Rios who was trying to advance to third on the play.  Delabar got the third out on the next play, striking out Frazier with a man at second base. 

Delabar finished after seven innings, allowing two runs on nine hits and striking out six.  He took his second loss of the season.  RHP James Baker was perfect out of the Rox bullpen.  He worked two innings and retired all six batters he faced; three on strikeouts.  The Rox were shutout for the fourth time this season.

The Rox and Skyhawks meet in the second game of a four-game series on Friday night at 7:05 PM.  RHP John Kelly (3-4, 2.45 ERA) will start opposite Skyhawks’ LHP Craig Snipp (4-2, 3.79 ERA).

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