A two-run home run by Keith Brachold in the top of the fourth inning broke up a scoreless tie, and opened the floodgates for the Rockland offense as the Boulders prevailed, 7-3, over the Newark Bears on Thursday at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
Caleb Cuevas, who got the start for Newark, cruised through the first three innings of the game without giving up a hit. Things changed in the fourth when a pop-up by Ryan Scoma fell between second baseman Juan Martinez and center fielder Bryce Lane. With a man on, Brachold came up and cracked a long home run to right to give Rockland a 2-0 lead.
The Boulders spent the rest of the afternoon tacking on to their lead.
Cole Kraft (3-for-5, 2 RBI) delivered two RBI singles for Rockland, one in the fifth and another sharp single in the seventh to drive in Orlando Mercado. As for Mercado, he doubled in Jon Smith in the seventh inning to make it 4-0.
Smith also hit his sixth home run of the season to lead off the ninth. Chris Valencia later scored on a Matt Nandin double giving Rockland a 7-0 lead.
Cuevas went 6.2 innings for Newark, surrendering six hits and five runs with three walks and five strikeouts.
Rockland’s Bobby Blevins was outstanding. He shut the Bears out through the first eight innings, holding Newark to only two hits during that time. Brick City eventually hit Blevins in the ninth, when Daryle Ward drove in Mike Richard and Juan Martinez on a two-run single, but it was not enough, as Blevins got the complete game victory.
Seton Hall point guard and NBA Draft hopeful Jordan Theodore threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Thursday’s game. News 12 New Jersey was on hand for the ceremony.
The Bears will host the New Jersey Jackals on Friday at 6:35 p.m. in the first of a four-game series. Tickets and information are available by calling (973) 848-1000 or by visiting www.newarkbears.com.
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