Ward pitches Brockton to victory over ‘Jacks

BROCKTON, Mass. – Chad Ward, making his pitching debut with Brockton, scattered five hits over seven scoreless innings of work as the Rox downed the Bangor Lumberjacks 8-2 in Northeast League play at Campanelli Field on Wednesday night.

The loss drops Bangor to 14-22 on the season, 11/2 games behind third-place Quebec (17-22) in the North Division. Brockton, the division leader, is now 21-15, 1/2-game ahead of second-place North Shore (21-16).

Ward struck out two batters and walked one before giving way to reliever Tony Stutz, who allowed Bangor’s only runs in the top of the eighth inning.

Brockton took the lead for good with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, then extended its lead to 4-0 with another two-run rally against Bangor starter Danny Miller (1-6) in the fourth. The Rox then mounted a three-run uprising against Lumberjacks reliever Ashton Stone in the seventh inning.

The Rox got solo home runs from Terrell Merriman – also playing his first game with the team – and shortstop Saul Bustos. Bustos finished the game with three RBIs.

Lorenzo de la Cruz doubled and singled to lead Bangor’s seven-hit attack, while Bryan Britt had the Lumberjacks’ lone RBI.

The ‘Jacks are idle today before returning home Friday to face Allentown (15-20) in the first of three doubleheaders in as many days over the weekend. Game 1 Friday begins at 5 p.m.