With Brewster and Wareham tying 6-6 in a game that was called for darkness in 10 innings on Wednesday night, the Anglers had an opportunity to expand its cushion for the East Division’s last playoff spot. They did, beating Yarmouth-Dennis (23-17) 6-5 at Veterans Field. Chatham (17-22-1) now hosts first-place Harwich (23-15-2) at 7 p.m. on Thursday night, with a chance to all but seal — at the least — a three-game playoff series at the start of August. 

Here’s a look back at the Y-D win and ahead to Thursday’s bout with the Mariners. 

At the plate

Chatham scored seven runs in a 12-7 loss to Brewster on Tuesday, and took that offensive stride into the Red Sox game. The Anglers finished with six runs, which were just enough, receiving good nights from Boston College teammates Chris Shaw and Nick Sciortino. Shaw went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and also scored a run, and Sciortino went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI singles. Bryant Burleson (Texas Tech) was also 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored, and Landon Cray (Seattle) scored two runs despite going 0-for-3. 

“The new guy,” Chatham manager John Schiffner said of Sciortino’s performance. “That was great that he got going right away.”

On the mound

What was expected to be a pitching duel between Anglers ace Jordan Hillyer (Kennesaw State) and Kevin Duchene, who had been lights out in July. But even though Hillyer would later improve to 5-0, he gave up four runs and Duchene five, shifting the weight of the game onto the bullpens. 

And it was Chatham’s bullpen that got the job done. Zack Burdi (Louisville) relieved Hillyer in the sixth and used a strikeout to strand the tying run on third, then used two more punch outs to set the side down in order. Then Kyle Davis (Southern California) came in for a six-out save and, although he ran into trouble and gave up a run, was able to preserve Hillyer’s and the Anglers’ win. 

“I just wasn’t really thinking that much out there,” Burdi said. “Just throwing strikes and trying to get ahead.”

Up next

Davis was originally scheduled to make his second start of the season against the Mariners on Wednesday, but Schiffner needed him to stiff arm the Red Sox in a save situation. And since he did so, P.J. Conlon (San Diego) will oppose Robby Kalaf in a spot start. Conlon has had success against Harwich this season, and Kalaf threw five scoreless innings when he faced Chatham on July 8 — a game that the Mariners won 13-8. The Anglers are 0-5 against Harwich this season and it will be their last chance to tap into the matchup. 

Broadcast information

Broadcast coverage of the Anglers and Mariners begins at 6:40 p.m. with the Anglers Extra Pregame Show. Watch and listen on TRZ Teamline or listen by phone 1-800-846-4700, code 3481. Visit Broadcast Central for more information.

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