Rox Win 2011 Home Opener

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Former Red Sox Bill Buckner notched his first win as manager of the Brockton Rox Thursday night as the Rox opened the 2011 Can-Am League season with a 3-1 win over the Worcester Tornadoes.
Although the stands were sparsely filled die-hard fans like Brockton resident Patty Smith and her nearly 6-year-old niece Rylee Smith (Pictured below, left to right) who got a signed baseball and early birthday gift—she turns 6 on June 9-- from former Red Sox pitcher Bob Stanley.

Stanley (Pictured at left) gabbed and joked with fans and signed sports memorabilia as he made his way around Campanelli Stadium before and after throwing the ceremonial first pitch which did make it easily across home plate—a feat fans and Stanley jokingly wondered would happen prior to the throw.
Stanley also joked about his appearance at the home opener.
“I don’t know. I think they’re paying me a buck,” Stanley said.
Catcher Chris Grossman hit a solo homerun in the second to begin the scoring for the Rox after pitcher Mike Smith got himself out of a bases loaded jam in the Worcester half of the second. (Pictured below, left)
The Rox perhaps showed its manager’s desire to win games by playing a little small ball in the third inning when outfielder Chris Valenica laid down a bunt to move shortstop Dominic Ramos to second after Ramos reached first base on a single.
First baseman Mike Falu drove in the first of two RBI and second single of the game to score Ramos from second.
Falu earned his second RBI in the fifth when he hit another single to bring home Ramos who hit a double to put him in scoring position.
The Rox will play Worcester tonight, Saturday and Sunday for the Memorial Day Weekend season-launching home stand.
For tickets, visit the Brockton Rox website.