Andrew Thurman was the tough-luck loser Sunday night, after allowing one run in 6.1 innings against Cotuit.
By: Andrew Constant / @andrew_constant
Andrew Thurman and Joe Broussard dueled pitch-for-pitch, matching zeroes until Patrick Biondi scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, giving Cotuit a 1-0 victory at rainy Lowell Park Sunday night.
Thurman struck out seven Kettleers, one start after shutting out Falmouth and punching out 13 last Sunday, and allowed just four hits, in 6.1 innings. He didn?t run into trouble until the seventh inning, when Biondi, the league?s leading hitter, reached on a bunt single with one out. Tony Kemp and Jacob Valdez each walked, loading the bases and forcing Y-D manager Scott Pickler to go to his bullpen for the first time all day, bringing in AJ Vanegas to face Derek Smith.
But Vanegas? first pitch soared high and wide, out of the reach of catcher Wayne Taylor, reaching the backstop and allowing Biondi to score easily from third base. Vanegas rebounded to get out of the inning with just the one run crossing the plate, but the damage was done.
With heavy rain falling and the skies darkening, the umpires decided that the top of the eighth inning would be the final one, if Y-D didn?t tie the game or take the lead. Taylor led off for the Red Sox and walked, giving Y-D life and leaving open the opportunity to level the score. Matt McGovern followed Taylor with a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt, moving the Red Sox catcher into scoring position with one out. Tanner Mathis walked on four pitches against Ryan Connolly, putting the potential go-ahead run at first base, but Carlos Asuaje flied out and Sam Travis grounded to the mound, stranding both runners and ending the contest after seven and a half innings.
Thurman lowered his ERA to 3.50, after turning in his second straight superb effort, albeit in a losing effort. Broussard didn?t pick up the victory for Cotuit, leaving the game after 6.1 innings of shutout baseball. Cameron Griffin earned the win for the Kettleers and Connolly picked up his fourth save of the summer.
Y-D, which has now lost five in a row, returns home to Red Wilson Field on Monday night when the Brewster Whitecaps visit for a 5 p.m. start. Alex Gonzalez is scheduled to start for the Red Sox against Dylan Davis.
