Y-D: 0, Orleans: 2

RED HOT SOX BATS DEFLATE IN 2-0 LOSS TO ORLEANS

The fun could not last forever for the YD Red Sox (14-17-3) who traveled to Eldredge Park to face the Orleans Firebirds (14-16-3) Wednesday night. Scoring 20 runs during their two game winning streak, the Red Sox offense could not muster up any against Firebirds pitching as they were held to no runs on six hits. The loss moves YD back into a tie for third place (31 points) in the Eastern Division with the Orleans.

The Red Sox gave themselves opportunities to score runs during the game, putting runners on base in five of the nine innings. However, of the eight total base runners only one reached third base; after singling with two outs in the top of the fourth inning, Chris Taylor moved to third on a successful hit-and-run play with Jacob Lamb. 

The threat was short-lived, though, as a double steal went wrong for the Red Sox causing Taylor to be thrown out at home when the Orleans second baseman cut off the throw from the catcher attempting to nab Lamb at second. 

The caught stealing was one of five on the day (two for YD and three for Orleans). Base runners were finding it very difficult to run on the strong arms of catchers Bennett Pickar for YD and Richie Shaffer for Orleans. 

Hitters struggled to even reach base in this game as it was held scoreless through eight and a half innings. Mark Appel received his first start of the season for the Red Sox. Appel recently joined the team after a stint with the Collegiate National Team, Team U.S.A. He looked superb throwing six innings, allowing only three hits, and retiring the last six batters he faced. Unfortunately for Appel, the run support was not present for his first start, and he will have to wait to pick up his first win of the season.

The scoring action for Orleans came in the bottom of the eighth inning during Matt Reckling’s second inning of relief work. Coach Pickler elected to use four pitchers during the inning, likely to create the right match ups or if he thought one was struggling. Nonetheless, no relief pitcher in the inning was able to find a rhythm and escape the jam the Red Sox found themselves in.

After a leadoff walk to the ninth hitter Matt Lowenstein who proceeded to steal second on a controversial call, Joey Denato entered to strike out Andrew Aplin for the first out of the inning. Then Andrew Thurman was brought in to face Anthony Gomez who singled in between the shortstop and third baseman. Chris Taylor was able to cut the ball off from going into the outfield and allowing the go-ahead run to score.

Nonetheless, a beautiful squeeze bunt by third hitter Matt Duffy scored Lowenstein from third base, placed himself on first, and gave the Firebirds the first lead of the game, 1-0. Ben Waldrip followed with a hard hit single to center field that scored Gomez and extended the Orleans lead to 2-0. Matt Carasiti replaced Thurman on the mound and struck out Jayce Boyd for the final out of the inning after Waldrip had been caught stealing. 

There was no magic for the Red Sox in the top of the ninth as Orleans closer Trevor Gott retired Brian Johnson, Mason Katz, and Chris Taylor in order to secure his eighth save of the season.

The Red Sox were off on Thursday but continue at home against the Cotuit Kettleers at 5 PM.