QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC --- It took the Worcester bats a few innings to wake up Saturday night at Stade Municipal against Dan Sausville (5-2). They eventually would chase Sausville from the game in the sixth, but not before the right hander secured his fifth win 9-5 with some help from his offense.

 

In the very first inning against Matt Giusti (2-5) it was Cap slugger Sebastian Boucher who took a hanging breaking ball yard over the center field fence to give the Habs a lead they would never relinquish, 3-0. Boucher has not stopped hitting since leaving Hanover Insurance Park in the beginning of June; tonight's homer was his fifth to go along with his 28 RBI's and .440 average. Mark Minicozzi matched that feat in the next half inning with a solo jack to make the score 3-1.

 

Giusti would exit in the sixth during the course of a four fun inning and Baron Short, fresh off the DL, took over surrendering one. The Tornadoes battled back to match all four scores in the top of the seventh including a 2 RBI single from Nick Salotti who finished with a two hit evening. Anthony Cros' third run driven in of the night in the bottom half would close the scoring. Sean Gregory worked around a pair of hits in the ninth to close the door on Worcester in a non-save situation.

 

Three days after Canada Day, the Independence Day matchup Saturday afternoon at 1:05pm will feature a pair of veteran right handers Chris Farley (4-2) against Cap mainstay Michel Simard (2-2). Coverage begins on AM 830 WCRN at 1pm.

 

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC --- It was not the start that Chris Farley (4-3) envisioned when he knew he would be taking the ball on Independence Day in Quebec. The Worcester ace stumbled early giving up eight runs through two and a third as he was tagged with his third loss of the year 10-4.

 

One game after putting a large number (9) on the board the Capitales one upped themselves with ten today. With a five run second and three run third the Habs had all the offense they would need. In the second it was RBI's coming in pairs for Ivan Nacaratta and Sebastien Boucher both on singles. The third featured a three run bomb for catcher Patrick D'Aoust; his first home run of the season. 

 

The day started off well for the black and orange when Stantrel Smith knocked home a pair with his fifth double in five games. After that Michel Simard (3-2) settled down to retire eight in a row twice; between the end of the first and fourth and the end of the fourth and sixth. Danny Santiesteban and Mike Baillargeon each notched RBIs for Worcester, Baillargeon's on a solo home run. It was the first hit, RBI, and HR for the rookie as a Tornado.

 

Monday Worcester will face RHP Matthew Rusch (4-0) and will counter with fellow righty John Hollis (1-2). Both men begin the season out of the bullpen before being worked into the starting rotation. Game time is at 7:05pm with coverage on WCRN at 7pm. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

 

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC --- Les Capitales picked up their fourth straight victory Monday evening allowing just five hits and one run to the Tornadoes who dropped their fourth in a row 8-1.

 

Matt Rusch (5-0) stayed perfect tonight striking out ten Tornadoes and doling out just one free pass through seven innings. Rusch, who pitched last year at the AAA level with the Detroit Tigers organization, let up just three hits. He was followed by Sean Gregory and Adam Arnold for an inning each. Jon Hollis (1-3) racked up his second loss in a row as he coughed up seven runs over five and a third including a four run sixth that featured a solo home run from first baseman Jeremy Hunt. Sebastien Boucher went yard in the second to improve his HR total to seven, that is tied for the league lead with Keith Brachold of Brockton.

 

Silver lining pieces for the Tornadoes; Mark Minicozzi's triple in the second and Rick Asadoorian's third straight outing allowing no runs in the eighth.

 

Worcester looks to snap it's four game funk Tuesday evening with lefty Zach Zuercher (0-0) throwing against Quebec RHP Troy Cate (0-1) who is facing the Tornadoes for the first time. Game time is at 7:05pm with coverage beginning on WCRN at 7pm.