It’s funny how it works sometimes. Pain led to a big gain for the American Defenders of New Hampshire on Tuesday night, in the form of an 8-3 win before only 987 fans.

Defenders scheduled starting pitcher Luis Valdez’ elbow was bothering him to the point where he had to be scratched before the game. And after his replacement, lefty Rob Riley, gave up a two-run homer to old friend Chris Colabello in the first inning, it didn’t look good. Asked what he was thinking when he saw Colabello’s ball sail over the left field wall, Defenders manager Brian Daubach said, “We’ve been down this road before.’

Ah, but this road took a different turn. Riley settled down to pitch five innings of three hit ball, walking three and fanning two.  And Jabe Bergeron, whose back is bugging him so much he couldn’t sleep the night before, smacked two homers, with three hits and four RBI. He still has only six homers and 32 RBI on the year.

“To be honest, if you told me I was going to have the night I had tonight, I would have said ‘I don’t know’” Bergeron said. “I think the results have been better (than earlier in the season) but I wouldn’t say I’ve been feeling that great. My back…honestly, hitting has been pretty good. But you put me out there, I can’t even bend over on some ground balls with infield.

“But we had to back (Riley) up. His first start of the season, he threw great. He turned in a game. He set the tone.”

“He’s done whatever we’ve asked all year,” Daubach said. “He’s played the outfield. Pitched long relief. Matchup situational lefty. Came out and started, gave up a two-run homer in the first but one hit the rest of the way. i don’t know what more you can ask for…It only goes as far as your pitcher takes it. But he was aggressive, his tempo was really good. He was able to get through five innings and get a big win. Good for him.”

Indeed, it looked like a mound mismatch. Worcester lefty starter Ryan Lobban came in leading the Can-Am League in wins with eight and the Defenders have struggled vs. southpaws all year,  but in 6.1 innings he allowed all eight Defender runs on 11 hits. But New Hampshire has hit him in the past.

Can Bergeron continue with the pain? He’s going to give it a try, and why not? One of his homers sailed over the wall and 401 foot sign in dead center.

“I remember him hitting balls in center field last year (with Ottawa),” Daubach said. “I remember one that went over the batter’s eye. That’s the first one I’ve seen him hit (this year) like that in center field. It sure is good to see. Now the guys in the middle of the lineup are all swinging the bat pretty well at the same time. The middle of the lineup is righthanded, no reason for us to be struggling against lefties.”

Bergeron is taking anti-inflammatories to try to ease the pain from bulging discs. He wants to play a couple more years and doesn’t want surgery to slow him down in the off season.

“I really want to continue throughout the off-season this year,” Bergeron said. “We’ll see.”

– TOM KING