Blue Sox Shut Out at Home

The Lexington Blue Sox were shut out for only the second time all season Saturday night against the Watertown Reds, a team that they might see again in the playoffs. 

Lexington (25-5-1) had baserunners in every inning, yet did not manage a hit until catcher Mike Morgan hit a leadoff double to start the fifth inning. The Blue Sox had runners on first and third with no outs in the frame, but Watertown starter Mike Antonellis struck out the side to extinguish the threat.

Antonellis ended up with a three-hit, complete-game shutout, and his first win of the season. He got some help from Reds shortstop Sam Sager, who turned unassisted double plays in the second and fourth innings.

Watertown (15-16-1), who was playing oddly as the home team last night since their field is under construction, scored the decisive run in the bottom of the first inning on Colby Matheson's RBI single.

The Reds added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, knocking Lexington starter Kevin Scanlan out of the game. 

The loss was frustrating for a team that has been so dominant all season, but is likely a minor speed bump, since the Blue Sox have already clinched first place and a first-round bye in next week's Intercity Baseball League playoffs.

Lexington will finish up its season at home today against the Reading Bulldogs. Then the Blue Sox will head into the postseason hoping for their fifth straight IBL title.

"I'm confident, but we can't take anything for granted," Blue Sox manager Rick DeAngelis said. "We're the hunted, and everyone else are the hunters."