Justin Shafer went 3-4, with two two-run singles for four RBI, in Wednesday?s 6-4 victory over Chatham.
By: Andrew Constant / @andrew_constant
One day of waiting didn?t seem to effect the Yarmouth-Dennis bats, as they connected for four runs on five hits in the bottom of the first inning, en route to beating Chatham 6-4 Wednesday afternoon at Red Wilson Field. The two teams were scheduled to play their sixth head-to-head matchup of the summer Tuesday evening, but heavy rains pushed the start time back 24 hours, which was just long enough for Red Sox manager Scott Pickler to stick with starting pitcher Rick Knapp.
The right-hander from Florida Gulf Coast University tossed five innings, allowing just five hits and four runs, while striking out thre, pushing his record to 2-0.
Knapp got plenty of support from his teammates, as Robert Pehl and Justin Shafer led the way with the sticks.
In the first, Pehl got the Red Sox on the board, lining an RBI single to left field, scoring leadoff hitter Morgan Mackin. After a Zak Blair walk, Alex Blandino knocked in Sam Travis with an RBI single of his own, giving the home team a 2-0 lead. But Shafer had the biggest blow of the frame, crushing a two-run single between the third baseman and shortstop, upping the advantage to 4-0.
Two innings later, Shafer collected his second two-run single of the night, striking the ball in almost the exact same spot of left field, giving the Red Sox a 6-2 lead.
But Y-D needed all of those runs in the first three innings, because the Chatham pitching staff settled down the rest of the way, allowing just three more hits.
Anglers starter Louie Lechich didn?t make it out of the fifth inning, before handing the ball to Dace Kime, who worked the next 4.2 innings. Kime yielded just three hits and three walks, keeping the Red Sox off the board and giving his team a chance to come back and tie the score.
Andrew Knapp, no relation to the Y-D starting pitcher, smacked his second two-run home run of the contest in the top of the sixth inning, ending Rick Knapp?s outing. But Brian Gilbert came in and closed the door on any thought of Chatham tying the game, twirling 3.2 commanding innings of relief.
Gilbert allowed just one runner to reach base in his first three innings, setting down nine in a row at one point, but couldn?t finish the game in the ninth inning.
With two outs and a runner on first, Gilbert got a ground ball to short, but Blandino booted it, allowing John Martinez to reach and extend the game. Pickler took Gilbert out of the game, bringing in Preston Hatcher to try and get the final out of the night. But Hatcher walked Alex Chittenden, forcing Pickler to make his second pitching change of the inning, with the bases now loaded.
The manager called on All-Star Bryan Verbitsky, who promptly came in and struck out Tom Bourdon on a full count, preserving the victory for the Red Sox.
The Red Sox will try and win their third straight contest Friday night, when they conclude a three-game home stand against the Wareham Gatemen. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.?
