In his first start as a New York Boulder, Andy Hammond spun a gem, going six innings without allowing an earned run. Ray Hernandez and Tucker Nathans added solo home runs and the Boulders knocked off Equipe Quebec by a score of 5-2 on Thursday night at Palisades Credit Union Park. 

Hammond set the tone early in the top of first as he retired Quebec down in short order. The Boulders got on the board in the bottom half of the inning thanks to three singles by Zach Kirtley, Ray Hernandez, and Ryan Ramiz. Ramiz’ hit came with two outs and scored Kirtley from second to give the Boulders a 1-0 advantage. 

Quebec took the lead in the top of the third with some help from sloppy defending by the Boulders. Jonathan Lacroix’s bunt attempt, which was misplayed by Hammond, and Gian Martellini’s catcher’s interference put runners on first and second with nobody out. L. P. Pelletier followed with an RBI single to tie the game at two. The throw home wasn’t handled by Martellini, the third error of the inning, advancing the runners to second and third. David Glaude’s sacrifice fly gave Quebec their first lead of the game. 

Tucker Nathans didn’t waste any time knotting the score back up as his solo shot to right field moved up him to second on the team with five home runs. After another 1-2-3 inning by Hammond, the Boulders got their bats going with two outs and the bases empty. Back-to-back singles by Brandon Bingel and Zach Penprase set the table for Milton Smith Jr.’s first extra-base hit of the season. His two-run triple over the right fielder’s head put the Boulders on top, 4-2. 

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Ray Hernandez added a massive insurance run on a monstrous solo homer that hit off the Coca-Cola sign in left field. It was Hernandez’ eighth home run of the season, just two off the Frontier League lead. 

Quebec’s best comeback chance came in the top of the sixth inning. They loaded the bases with two outs, but Hammond escaped the jam unscathed. His final line of six innings, two runs (none earned), three hits, one walk and three strikeouts was good enough to pick up his first professional win. 

The Boulders bullpen was perfect in relief. James Mulry threw two innings while striking out three and Tanner Kiest set Quebec down with two strikeouts to pick up the save. The win moved the Boulders to within one game of the division lead. They will continue their homestand tomorrow night against the Washington Wild Things.