NASHUA, NH — After starter Romel Roca tossed five scoreless innings, the Lake Monsters bullpen was touched for six runs over three innings as the Nashua Silver Knights handed Vermont its first Futures League of the season 6-1 Friday night at Holman Stadium.
Roca (AIC) retired the first 10 batters he faced before allowing a one-out single in the bottom of the fourth. A two-out single and walk loaded the bases before Roca got a groundout to end the inning. He then worked out of a one-out, runner on third jam in the fifth to complete his five scoreless innings.
Vermont scored its only run without benefit of a hit in the third inning when Tyler Harmony (Northeastern) walked, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out passed ball.
The Silver Knights scored three times in the bottom of the sixth inning off reliever Daniel Sams (Harvard), one in the seventh off Colchester’s Zach Davis (Bryant) and two more in the eighth off Shamus Kelly (Wesleyan).
After a 2-1 start to the season on the road, the Lake Monsters are scheduled to play their home opener 3:05pm Saturday on the Delta Dental Diamond at Centennial Field against the Worcester Bravehearts.
MONSTER PERFORMANCES
* Roca 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 SO
* Davis 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO
* Harmony 0-for-2, BB, R
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
* Vermont pitchers 15-inning scoreless streak snapped with the three 6th-inning runs allowed
* After 12 hits in season opener Wednesday, Lake Monsters offense has just 7 hits last 2 games
Next Game: Saturday vs. Worcester, 3:05pm
(Home Opener, Magnetic Schedule Giveaway)