RED SOX SECURE ANOTHER SOLID WIN AS RACE FOR PLAYOFF SPOTS HEATS UP
The YD Red Sox (16-17-4) proved again that they are legitimate playoff contenders with yesterday’s 5-4 win over the Harwich Mariners (19-17-1). The Red Sox entered the game 2-1 against the then first-place Mariners this season and with yesterday’s victory were able to pick up some ground in the Eastern Division on the Mariners and the Brewster Whitecaps. After two consecutive wins, the Red Sox remain in fourth place (behind a streaking Orleans Firebirds team who have five straight wins) but sit just three point behind the Mariners and Firebirds who sit in a virtual tie for second and four points behind the division leading Whitecaps.
Sunday’s matchup between the Red Sox and Mariners was one of the most evenly played games all season. Both teams created opportunities for themselves by putting runners on base, yet the Red Sox were able to seize those chances when they mattered most.
The bats continued their impressive performance, scorching Mariners pitching for five runs on eleven hits. Each of the first seven starting batters had at least one hit while every starting position player reached base in the game. Matt Reynolds, Mason Katz, and Stephen Piscotty all had multi-hit games for the Red Sox as Reynolds’ swing continues to carry the Sox offense, upping his batting average to .328 (9 for 14, .643 over his last three games).
Zack Weiss took the mound for the Red Sox throwing 3 2/3 innings while allowing three runs on three hits. It wasn’t a long enough outing for the win, which was picked up by Joey Denato who threw a magnificent four innings of relief. Denato entered to retire the final batter of a messy fourth inning for Weiss and continued through two-thirds of the eighth inning. He never faced more than four batters in an inning while keeping runners at bay with his imposing pick off move (Denato picked off two runners in a row in the fifth inning).
Kyle Hansen pitched 1 1/3 innings for a lengthy save, creating some activity in the bottom of the ninth to put spectators at the edge of their seats. Ultimately, Hansen was able to record his fourth save of the season.
Already trailing 1-0 going into the top of the second, the Red Sox looked to capitalize on early opportunities and take the lead. After a single by Anthony Melchionda and a subsequent hit-and-run single by Matt Wessinger placed runners on the corners with no outs, catcher Derrick Chung dropped down a bunt with one out that scored Melchionda from third to tie the game. Chung reached base on the play due to an errant throw by the pitcher who had fielded the ball. Leadoff man Chris Taylor followed with an RBI single of his own to give YD the 2-1 lead. After a Reynolds walk, James Ramsey hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Chung who had advanced to third for the final run of the inning. The score now stood at 3-1.
Harwich tied the score back at three by scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth off Weiss. Loading the bases with back to back walks and a shallow single, Mariners designated hitter Austin Wilson laced a single up the middle to score two runs but got himself caught between first and second base for the second out of the inning. Denato then entered to retire the side.
The Red Sox stirred things up again in the top of the seventh. With both teams looking to break the game open, YD got the ball rolling first after Katz reached on a one out infield single and moved to second on a pass ball. Piscotty stepped to the plate and smashed a double to opposite field scoring Katz and regaining the lead for YD. A Keefer sacrifice fly advanced Piscotty to third base when Wessinger came through with his second hit of the game to drive in Piscotty and extend the Red Sox lead to 5-3.
Closer Kyle Hansen struck out the only batter he faced in the eighth inning, but it was the ninth that proved troublesome for him. With a two run lead, Hansen struck out Harwich second baseman Darnell Sweeney to begin the ninth. After an Austin Nola single, a ground out recorded the second out of the frame but advanced Nola to second. Ninth hitter Alex Swim singled up the middle to bring around Nola and cut the Red Sox lead to one run.
A rattled Hansen walked the next two batters to load the bases, receiving no help from the home plate umpire as disgruntled Red Sox fans hooted and hollered. Nonetheless, Hansen got Jabari Henry to fly out to deep center to end the game and secure the second straight win for the YD Red Sox.
The highflying Sox will take their talents to Wareham (18-19) Monday night in a faceoff with the third place Western Division team. First pitch is at 7 PM.
--Ben Stepansky
