Karis Leads Blue Sox to Game One Win

The Lexington Blue Sox ironically got a “bulldog”-like performance from pitcher Matt Karis Wednesday night, as they defeated the Reading Bulldogs 4-1 at home to take game one of their best-of-five semifinal series.

“You got to tip your cap to [Karis],” Blue Sox manager Rick DeAngelis said after the game. “He was a bulldog out there for us tonight.”

With a first-round bye giving the top-seeded Blue Sox (25-6-1) a nine-day layoff before Wednesday’s game, Karis quickly shook off the rust striking out the first three batters he faced, all of them looking. In all, Karis would fan nine Bulldogs in his complete-game effort, while only giving up one unearned run.

Karis, a hard-throwing right-hander from Southborough and then Gettysburg College, finished the regular season 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA.

After Bulldogs center fielder Alex Fischer scored on an error in the top of the second inning, Karis got all the support he would need in the bottom half of the inning, including a two-run double by designated hitter Nick Martinho.

Right fielder Dan Graham led off the bottom of the second inning with a walk. Left fielder Matt McEvoy then grounded into a fielder’s choice, and catcher Mike Morgan singled, putting two on for Martinho.

With two outs, Martinho belted a gap shot to the left-center fence, scoring both McEvoy and Morgan, who had to beat a close tag at the plate. Third baseman Chas Agrillo then singled up the middle, plating Martinho and giving the Blue Sox a 3-1 lead.

McEvoy provided some insurance in the bottom of the sixth inning, knocking the inning’s first pitch over the left-field fence to make the final 4-1.

First baseman Tommy Haugh had a multi-hit game for the Blue Sox.

Bulldogs pitcher Colin McGinn went the distance, allowing four earned runs, eight hits and a walk in six innings of work.

“He pitched well enough to win,” Bulldogs acting manager Ed Silvey said. “We didn’t execute offensively; we left nine guys on base; we needed a big hit, and we just didn’t get it tonight. It was just one of those nights.”

McGinn actually got the win against the Blue Sox in the teams’ last game of the season on Aug. 8. The No. 5 Bulldogs finished the regular season 16-15-1 and beat the Testa Corp. Bombers in the first round of the playoffs.

The Blue Sox are seeking their fifth straight Intercity League title, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in the league’s 51-year history. Four other teams have also won four in a row.

“These guys are as good as any team we’ve had,” DeAngelis said.

The two teams will square off again at 5:45 p.m. tonight at Reading High School. The Blue Sox’ Drew Brzozowski (5-0, 0.97 ERA) will take the hill against the Bulldogs’ Derek Cotoni (4-2, 2.71 ERA).