With the Cape League’s current playoff structure, you really can’t write anybody off. But Chatham — and to a lesser extent Cotuit — were starting to look the part there for a while. Chatham has been in the basement for a while, while Cotuit dropped there with a tough stretch and has struggled to get out.
But things are tightening up now. Chatham beat Orleans 8-3 last night for its third straight win, while Cotuit edged Harwich 2-1 in extra innings for its second win in a row.
The Anglers are still six points behind Orleans for the fourth playoff spot, but with 12 games left, they could make a run at it. Essentially, they’ve given themselves a chance when they absolutely had to.
As for Cotuit, the Kettleers are only two points back of fourth-place Falmouth, so that race shapes up as a tight one.
Chatham again rode the hot bat of Dane Phillips (Oklahoma State) last night, who went 3-for-4 with four RBI. He’s six for his last nine with seven RBI and is rocketing up the leaderboards. He’s hitting .315, good for seventh in the league and he’s now second behind Victor Roache with 23 RBI. He also has four home runs.
Richie Shaffer (Clemson) also had a good day for Chatham, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Dominic Leone (Clemson) pitched six strong innings to pick up the victory.
Cotuit used some late-inning dramatics to beat Harwich. With the game tied at 1-1 in the top of the 10th, Torsten Boss came on as a pinch-hitter and knocked in Kevin Roundtree with the go-ahead run. Roundtree had tripled to start the inning.
The most impressive part of the rally was that it came against Harwich reliever Carter Capps, who hadn’t allowed a run all season.
Elsewhere
What to Watch
Games: Two big ones tonight as East leader Brewster visits Bourne, the second place team in the West at 5 p.m. Then at 7, East second-place Harwich visits West leader Hyannis.
Player: Flamethrower Lex Rutledge (Stamford), who has been pitching out of the bullpen, is scheduled to start for Harwich.
Will, Mark Appel is starting tonight in Orleans for YD