Bears Stumble in Series Opener to Quebec, 15-5

A seven-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run blast off the bat of Sebastien Boucher, led the Quebec Capitales  to a 15-5 victory  over the Newark Bears on Tuesday night.

Boucher led the way for the Capitales with a 4-for-5 night with four RBI. He was one of four Capitales with multiple RBI on the night, and one of five Quebec hitters with multiple hits.

The Capitales jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning when Boucher’s double drove in Jeff Helps to make it 1-0. Two batters later, Robert Wagner’s fielder’s choice was enough to drive in Boucher from third to give Quebec a 2-0 advantage.

The Bears didn’t waste any time in tying the game, though. Tucker Nathans (2-for-4, 2 RBI) grounded into a fielder’s choice of his own to score Danny Santiesteban, who led off the inning with a walk. Burt Reynold’s single brought home Juan Martinez with the tying run.

Newark grabbed the lead in the fourth inning when Bryce Lane came in to score on a wild pitch.

However the lead was short lived.

Three straight singles by Quebec’s Josue Peley, Robert Wagner and Steve Brown to open up the bottom of the fourth loaded the bases with no one out. Walks to Rony Rodriguez and Josh Colafemina put the Capitales back in front, as Peley and Wagner scored to give the Caps a 4-3 lead.

Brown would score on a wild pitch by Caleb Cuevas, and an error  brought home two more Quebec runners to make it 7-3.

That set the table for Boucher who cracked a two-run home run to augment the lead to 9-3.

Even though Newark cut into the Capitales lead with a couple of runs in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Santiesteban and Nathans, it was not enough as the Capitales continued to score.

Brown’s solo homer in the bottom of the fifth made it 10-5.

The Capitales added runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to pull away, 15-5.

Cuevas went 6.1 innings, giving up 13 runs (seven earned) on 13 hits.

John Mariotti got the win for Quebec, pitching five innings allowing five runs on nine hits.

The Bears and Capitales continue their series on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.

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