Announcement

Blue Sox Take Game One, 1-0

Posted by Chiefs Baseball on Aug 14 2019 at 07:45PM PDT in 2019
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Lexington, MA- An Aaron Barbosa infield single was the difference when the Blue Sox edged the Chiefs, despite another stellar effort from Tim Dunphy, 1-0 in game one of their best of three series on Wednesday night in Lexington.

The Chiefs had a couple of large opportunities to take this one. They were stymied by the Blue Sox pitching duo of first Mike Geannelis, and then Manny Delcarmen, leaving the bases loaded in the second inning and two more runners in scoring position in the seventh.

The game featured an outstanding duel between Geannelis and Dunphy, and a giveth then taketh away performance by Delcarmen in the top of the seventh. Geannelis got the win, Delcarmen the save, and Dunphy obviously deserved a better fate.

Following a rapidly played first inning, the Chiefs mounted a major two out threat in the top of the second. After singles by rookie Matt Maloney and Andrew Caulfield, Geannelis hit Nick Leva with a pitch to load the bases. The threat went by the boards when Geannelis got Mike Burgoyne to pop up to end the inning.

There was nothing doing for either side over the next few innings until the Blue Sox scored the game’s only run in the bottom of the fifth. Dunphy got Kyle Adie to ground to Ben Waldrip for the first out, before catcher Mitch Schroeder lined a single to right and Morgan Brown reached on a single into the shortstop hole. Dom Zaher then grounded out to Maloney at second, moving the runners up to second and third with two away. The game winner came when the rapid Barbosa hit a chopper to short and just beat Nate Witkowski’s throw to first, on a banger, as Schroeder crossed the plate. Dunphy then promptly got Ross Curley to pop out to end the inning to keep it a one run game.

The Chiefs went in order against Geannelis in the top of the sixth and Dunphy set Lexington down in succession in the bottom of the inning.

Delcarmen, the former Red Sox righty and present Lexington closer, came on for Geannelis to begin the seventh and Kyle Dembrowski and Andrew Caulfield greeted him with back to back singles. Evan Reynolds then pinch ran for Dembrowski. With Maloney taking the first pitch on a sacrifice bunt attempt, Schroedrer looked to have Reynolds picked off second. Reynolds took off for third and beat the throw with Caulfield moving up to second. With Chiefs in business big time and having the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position and nobody out, Delcarmen showed his back class and struck out Maloney, pinch-hitter Michael Nestor, and then Burgoyne in order to end the game.

Geannelis went six innings, gave up three hits and struck out five. Dunphy gave up six hits, three of the infield variety, and struck out one. There were no walks in the game.

Chiefs Chatter…. Game two of the series will be played on Thursday night at Pine Banks on the Malden/Melrose line at 7:45 PM…..MLB should take note: the game only took 1 hour and 18 minutes to complete…..The respective sides was retired in order in five of the thirteen half innings that were played…..The Blue Sox left four on base while the Chiefs left six stranded, four of those in scoring position…. Alibrandis shutout Wakefield 9-0 in game one of the other semi-final series……