Blue Sox Jump Right Back into Win Column

The Lexington Blue Sox aren’t very big fans of losing, evidenced by their four straight Intercity League championships. So the team jumped back into the win column as soon as it could, following the end of a season-long, nine-game win streak.

Two nights after the streak was snapped, the Blue Sox righted the ship with a 3-0 victory playing as the visiting team against the Watertown Reds at on Thursday.

“If we could’ve rearranged the schedule to our liking we would’ve played (Wednesday),” Blue Sox manager Rick DeAngelis said about the team’s eagerness to get back on the field.

In picking up the victory, Lexington’s 10th in its past 11 games for those concerned, the Blue Sox seemed to put all phases together. They got another stellar performance from Steve Bodnar, while also picking up clutch hits and played impeccable defense.

It could just be that Lexington is getting back into the swing of things following a prolonged break during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Prior to losing to the Andre Chiefs on Tuesday, the Blue Sox hadn’t played since June 29. DeAngelis said the team was noticeably rusty against Andre, and it cost them the winning streak.

“We had been off for five days, we were flat, obviously, and weren’t really to play,” he said. “We were just flat. It happens. It’s not an excuse, not a criticism, it’s just a fact of life.”

None of that carried over against Watertown, as Bodnar was once again dominant from the start. The last time he took the mound, Bodnar, who DeAngelis considers one of the Blue Sox’s three aces, no-hit the Reds on June 20.

This time out, Bodnar’s no-hit bid lasted a single batter, as Watertown’s Steve Panza (2-for-2, double) picked up a single as the Reds’ second hitter. Nevertheless, Bodnar went six innings to pick up the victory. He struck out six, including the side in the fifth after the Blue Sox got on the board with three runs in the top of the inning.

“I like to say we have three aces,” DeAngelis said. “Matt Karis is certainly worthy of being the Pitcher of the Year, twice … but Bodnar is every bit an ace, as is Drew Brzozowski, who does his job very quietly.

“We have great pitching depth.”

Tim Lahey closed things out for the Blue Sox in the bottom of the seventh. He allowed two runners to reach, but struck out Watertown pinch-hitter Jim McLaughlin, who represented the tying run, to end it.

The combination of Bodnar and Lahey combined to allow just six hits, effectively keeping the Watertown bats off balance all night.

“He’s pitched well against us,” Watertown manager Joe Chiodo said about the tough pitching matchup. “We’ve (faced) him in the past and beat him in past years. He’s had our number so far, but that doesn’t mean we won’t get him later in the year.”

At the plate, the Blue Sox offense picked up clutch hits when it counted, which proved difficult against Reds starter Karl Alexander. He went the distance with three strikeouts and allowed all three Lexington runs.

Still, the Blue Sox were only able to get to Alexander during the top half of the fifth inning. They put two men on base with a single by catcher Mike Morgan and a double by third baseman Justin Wright.

That put men at second and third with one and brought Dan Capra, Lexington’s No. 9 batter, to the plate with the game still tied at 0-0. Capra battled Alexander to a full count before lacing a line drive up the middle to plate both Morgan and Wright.

But Capra wasn’t done there. He stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball and then scored on Peter Frates’ sacrifice fly to right field.

“He’s a terrific player,” DeAngelis said. “He’s a very technically sound kid. He’s not (a traditional No.) 9 hitter. Our 9-hitter is as good as our No. 1, that’s why (Capra) hits there.”

The bottom of the fifth is when Bodnar slammed the door on the Reds, striking out Steve Tramontozzi, Colby Matteson and Brendan Casey in order.

Lexington will remain home to take on the Medford Americans on Friday. The Blue Sox will then take on the second-place Wakefield Merchants at Walsh Field in Wakefield on Sunday.