WORCESTER, MA --- Worcester started off on the right foot again against their neighbor to the north with seven runs in the first four innings against Cap southpaw Troy Cate. Worcester would win the the battle but Quebec would win the war scoring at least one in innings two through seven. The Tornadoes fall to 0-5 on Mondays with the 9-8 loss.


Jon Hollis could only muster two and two thirds innings on Monday night issuing six free passes and five runs, though only one earned.He turned things over to Baron Short and eventually John Slusarz (2-1) who suffered his first loss of the season surrendering two runs on four hits. Andy Schon (2-0) remained perfect on the year with four stellar innings of long relief out of the pen. He fanned three and walked just the one lowing his ERA to 2.91.


The offensive star of the game for Worcester was clean up man Gordie Gronkowski who put together his second consecutive three hit performance including a pair of doubles and three RBIs. Omar Pena notched a leadoff single and scored in the ninth for his third hit of the game (all singles) against Quebec interim closer Andrew Albers, but Albers settled down inducing a 1-6-3 double play to conclude the action with the go ahead run at the plate for his fifth save.


Quebec RF Sebastien Boucher continued to produce runs for his team. While only going 1-4, he still scored three runs and reached base on a walk and error. Former Tornado Jared Lemieux added three RBIs, all on his third HR of the season.


Worcester pitching walked ten men Monday night and it's defense committed five errors.


Quebec clinched the first half playoff bid tonight with the win and Brockton loss to Pittsfield. It is the second straight season the first half was clinched at Hanover Insurance Park (New Jersey, 2009).


Tuesday the Tornadoes send lefty Zach Zuercher (0-1) to the hill in search of his first win in his second straight go against the Habs who will give the nod to Karl Gelinas (2-0). Game time is at 7:05pm with coverage beginning on WCRN at 7pm.