Community Corner

Inside-the-Park Home Run Helps Boulders Stop Jersey Jackals

Jon Velasquez allows only one hit over seven innings in 4-2 win.

Jon Velasquez allowed one hit over seven innings, and Qualon Millender knocked in two runs and excited the home crowd with an inside-the-park home run, as the topped New Jersey 4-2 Saturday evening at Provident Bank Park.

Velasquez (5-5) walked five batters, but a two-run shot by Francisco Caraballo in the fourth inning was the only hit the Rockland right-hander gave up.

Millender, meanwhile, hit the first inside-the-park homer in the short history of the Boulders. His sixth inning line drive got past a diving Bryan Sabatella in center field, and the speedy Millender was off to the races. The Jackals executed well on their relay to home plate, but the throw was just late and Millender slid in under the tag, as the Boulders grabbed a 4-2 lead.

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The home run, Millender's second of the season, was also his second RBI of the night, as his fourth inning single drove in what turned out to be the game-winning run and broke a 2-2 tie. 

Garrett Johnson and Adrian Martin each pitched scoreless innings of relief to preserve the victory, which pulled Rockland to within four games second-place New Jersey.

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The Boulders and Jackals complete their four-game series Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Yogi Berra Stadium in Little Falls, N.J., with Will Hassett on the hill for Rockland.

Sunday's contest is the beginning of a 10-game road trip for the Boulders, which will take Rockland to Sioux City, Fargo-Moorhead and St. Paul, three teams from the American Association.

The Boulders return home on Friday, Aug. 24, when they open up another three-game set with these same Jackals.


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