(QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC) – The Rockland Boulders trailed early and a pair of comeback efforts fell short as they dropped a 6-3 contest to Quebec on the road Tuesday night. The loss snapped a five-game win streak for Rockland (26-18) while Les Capitales (27-15) ended a three-game losing streak of their own.
Les Capitales got on the board early in the second on back-to-back doubles from Yurisbel Gracial, scoring two runs, and Yeicok Calderon, plating another, to make it a 3-0 Quebec lead after two innings. That lead grew in the fourth on a run-scoring single from Calderon, giving him two RBI on the night. Boulders starting pitcher Richard Salazar would settle down from there, not giving up another run the rest of his outing.
Rockland was held quiet for the first three innings, not recording a baserunner until the top of the fourth when Mike Fransoso worked a two-out walk before ultimately being stranded. Quebec pitcher Karl Gelinas took the no-hitter into the fifth before a Pat McKenna double gave the Boulders their first hit. It wouldn’t be until the sixth inning when Rockland got on the board, thanks to a Fransoso two-run single, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
The Boulders chipped away at the lead again in the seventh and even threatened to take the lead. With two outs, Elvin Soto doubled and later scored on Jared McDonald’s single to bring Rockland within one run. Junior Arrojo then singled to put the go-ahead run on base but relief pitcher Jordan Mills was able to retire the next batter to get out of the jam.
Rockland threatened again in the eighth, putting the tying run at third, but was unable to push that run across. Meanwhile, Quebec tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the eighth against Pat Butler and closer Jon Fitzsimmons recorded his 10th save of the year, retiring all four batters he faced.
Gelinas (4-1) got the win by going six innings, striking out seven, and only allowing two runs. Salazar (5-3) took the loss, allowing four runs in six innings of work. Both Gracial and Calderon recorded two RBI in the night to pace the offense, while Fransaso drove in a pair of his own to lead the Boulders.
Both teams resume their three-game series tomorrow night at Stade Municpal. It will be the second game in a six-game road trip for Rockland.