Tanner Mathis went 0-2 with two walks and an RBI in Monday?s loss to Coutit.
By: Corey Burns
The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox fell to the Cotuit Kettleers in eight innings Monday evening at Red Wilson Field. Despite nine walks for the Red Sox, they struggled bringing runners across the plate.
Alex Gonzalez started for Y-D and took the loss, evening his record to 2-2 on the year. He pitched five innings with four strikeouts, allowed five earned runs on eight hits. Those five earned came on three homeruns for the Kettleers.
Brandon Bixler got the win for the Kettleers, even though he pitched two innings and allowed six walks. He did only allow one hit and two earned runs and with the game called due to darkness after eight innings, Bixler qualified for the victory.
Joey Denato came in for the Red Sox in the sixth and pitched three innings, racking up six strikeouts, allowing two runs, but only one earned. He pitched well enough to keep the Red Sox close, but the bats were silenced by Kettleers bullpen.
Cameron Griffin relieved Cotuit starter, Bixler, pitched 1.1 innings allowed three walks, two hits, and two earned runs before Ryan Connolly came in shut the door on the Red Sox.
After the Red Sox had scored two runs of Griffin in the fourth, Connonlly came in with one out. With men on the corners, Connolly struck out Robert Pehl and got Zak Blair to ground out, ending the scoring threat.
Connolly went on to retire nine straight batters, until Alex Blandino reached on an error. He allowed one more hit in the eighth, but ended the eighth and final inning unscathed. He earned the save with five strikeouts, one hit, and no runs, giving the Red Sox bats no shot in this one.
The Red Sox had their opportunities, especially early when the arms of Cotuit couldn?t find the plate, walking the lead off batter in each of the first four innings, and could not capitalize. In 37 total at-bats, Y-D only registered four hits.
In the first, Mathis walked, stole second, and on the next pitch attempted to steal third and got caught. In both the second and third innings, Y-D stranded base runners on second and third. Finally in the fourth, they ended the inning with men on first and third. In total, the Red Sox left nine men on base.
The Red Sox still hold second place in the Eastern Division. They are looking to get their bats going on Tuesday in Orleans, who sit at third place and trail the Red Sox by one game in the division.
