Commodores Drop to 0-5 with Loss to Bourne

The Falmouth Commodores were shut out for the third time in five games on Tuesday night, dropping a 2-0 decision to the Bourne Braves to fall to 0-5 on the young Cape Cod Baseball League season. The Commodores have now scored just three runs in 45 innings this year, low even by the standards of the traditionally pitching-dominated CCBL.

Bourne scored both of its runs in the top of the third inning, the second on an unusual play. Second baseman Mike Lebel led off the frame with a single to left, then went first-to-third on a single to right-center by catcher Blake Crohan, who advanced to second on the throw in to third. Designated hitter Zach Alvord drove in Lebel with an RBI ground out to short, Crohan moving to third on the play. It was the first run of the season for Bourne, which entered the game 0-3 on the year.

With one down and a man on third, center fielder Travis Jankowski failed to get a bunt down on a suicide squeeze, and Crohan was hung up off third. Falmouth catcher Spencer Kieboom quickly threw behind the runner, who turned for home. The pick-off play went to pieces, though, when third baseman Ryan Dalton's return throw bounced off Crohan's helmet, deflecting into foul territory and allowing the run to score.

It was all Bourne would need, as Braves pitching combined to hold Falmouth to five hits. Falmouth chased starter Josh Carr after five, with back-to-back singles to lead off the sixth. Reliever Slade Smith looked shaky in his first at-bat, walking the first batter he faced, despite the batter's intention to sacrifice. But Slade quickly turned things around, inducing second baseman Ross Heffley to ground into a fielder's choice at home, then striking out left fielder Jeremy Baltz and center fielder Jared King to end the threat. It was Falmouth's best scoring chance of the game.

The Commodores will still be in search of their first win of the year on Thursday, when they visit the Hyannis Harborhawks for a game rescheduled from Wednesday night.