'Nadoes strand 12 in loss.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: John McGuirk

WORCESTER - The Brockton Rox have become the Tornadoes' personal dark cloud.

In 15 meetings this season, the Rox have won 10, including last night's 5-4 victory at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.

The difference was Brockton's four-run fourth inning and Worcester stranding 12 runners as the Rox improved to 50-34. Brockton has recorded back-to-back 50-win seasons for the first time.

"I felt we had many more opportunities than they did tonight," Tornadoes manager Rich Gedman said. "You can get frustrated, but you can't get upset. I thought tonight we gave a much better effort, and I'm not surprised because I expected it."

With the game tied 1-1 in the fourth, the Rox strung together five hits against Worcester starter Chris Farley (6-7), who allowed nine hits, walked three and struck out a season-high 11. Shawn Williams and Keith Brachold opened with singles, and Phillip Cuadrado lined a single to center that drove in Williams. Brachold also scored on the play after center fielder Danny Santiesteban misplayed the ball.

Boston College product Mike Conroy, a 2001 first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians, followed with a run-scoring single and took second base on the throw home. Conroy came around to score Brockton's fifth run, thanks to Dominic Ramos' bloop single.

The Tornadoes (36-48) got two runs back...