Aaron Blair started the 2012 Cape League All-Star Game for the East, completing a scoreless frame.
By: Andrew Constant / @andrew_constant
Ace Aaron Blair and Bryan Verbitsky each tossed a scoreless inning before Robert Pehl tied the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning, as the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox left their mark on a 1-1 All-Star Game tie Saturday night at Whitehouse Field in Harwich.
Blair took the ball in the top of the first and allowed two singles before getting a groundout to end the threat, showcasing a power fastball and hammer curveball as thousands watched live and many thousands more tuned into the game, which was televised on Fox College Sports. Blair got the start after putting up league-best numbers in wins (6-0) and ERA (1.24), through his first six starts for the Red Sox this summer.
Verbitsky pitched the sixth inning for the East Division, working himself into and out of trouble against the West?s best hitters. He yielded consecutive one-out singles and then issued a walk, loading the bases, and giving the West their first scoring chance of the ball game. But Verbitsky got out of the jam after inducing a double play ball to short, where teammate Alex Blandino stepped on the second base bag and threw to first, keeping the game scoreless.
Blandino was named the East Division?s MVP of the game, after scoring the tying run in the bottom of the ninth. Pehl knocked Blandino in with his single off Dan Slania and played the whole game as the East?s Designated Hitter.
Tanner Mathis and Sam Travis manned center and left field respectively from start to finish and Zak Blair started at second base before Carlos Asuaje replaced him in the sixth inning.
Before the game started, Harwich?s Jacoby Jones won the Hy-line Home Run Derby, clubbing seven longballs into the trees beyond the fences in left field.
Y-D gets back on the field as a full unit Sunday in Cotuit against the first place Kettleers. First pitch at Lowell Park is scheduled for 5 p.m.
