Flutie Pushes Bulldogs to Win Over First Place Blue Sox

Neither play was as heart stopping as a Hail Mary touchdown pass nor as rare as a dropkick field goal. And neither will probably be remembered past next week. Still, both got the job done for the Reading Bulldogs.

Doug Flutie, he of Heisman Trophy and NFL fame, knocked in the game's lone run and flashed some leather to help keep a potent Lexington Blue Sox lineup at bay in a 1-0 Intercity League win for the Bulldogs at Lexington High School on Monday night.

The win over the Blue Sox helped Reading avoid a season sweep at the hands of the three-time defending league champions. Lexington had won the previous three meetings this year.

"We play every team four times and this was our one shot that we got them," Reading manager Matt Morrison said. "They beat us by one-run twice and we finally got them in a one-nothing game."

Beating the Blue Sox, the Intercity League's marquee team, could go a long way for the Bulldogs (16-13) in next week's playoffs. Reading has already locked up a postseason berth, and Morrison is hoping the team can draw some confidence from beating the first-place Blue Sox (21-7).

"They're the team to beat still in the league, so we're just honored to be at their level and know we can get them on any given night," he said. "We're just trying to work our momentum towards the playoffs."

That shouldn't be a problem so long as the 47-year-old Flutie keeps coming through. He helped Reading score the game's lone run in the second inning.

After two quick outs, Reading designated hitter Andy Gagnon reached on a single. He moved to second base on a passed ball and Andrew Bishop followed with a hit-by-pitch.

Next up was Flutie. Lexington first baseman Nick Martinho misplayed Flutie's grounder, allowing Gagnon to score from second.

"The veteran presence on the team," Morrison said jokingly about Flutie. "He just sets a great example for everybody, myself included. He just wants to blend in with everyone and put in his time and effort."

The ex-Canadian Football League great and New England Patriot showed he's still as competitive as ever. He jawed with umpires and Blue Sox players alike, and even flashed some leather.

Reigning league MVP Dan Graham stung a hard-hit line drive right at Flutie, who reacted quickly to get his glove up in time to snag the ball before it whistled by.

"Flutie still hasn't seen that one," Lexington manager Rick DeAngelis joked.

It was the kind of bad luck Lexington suffered all night. It registered just four hits and stranded runners at third base on two occasions. Both times Matt McEvoy was left 90 feet from the plate.

McEvoy had singles in the second (with two outs) and fifth innings (leadoff), but didn't come around either time.

Reading starter Dan Eisenberg (five innings, four hits, three strikeouts) and lefty reliever Chris Labriola combined to retire nine straight Blue Sox to finish the game. Eisenberg got the win, but was forced to leave after the fifth inning with a blister on his throwing hand.

"The kids were out there throwing well," Morrison said. "The kid for us (Eisenberg) pitched ahead in the count; he's a pitcher for Tufts University. He took advantage of his opportunities and got the win."

Lexington starter Sam Finn also pitched a good game, but was saddled with the tough-luck loss. He went the first five innings, allowing the one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts.

It appeared the Bulldogs were poised to add some cushion in the sixth inning, but Finn worked out of a bases-loaded jam. Doug Dellorfon led off with an infield single and got to second when the throw sailed wide of first base. Bill Cataldo then reached on an error.

After a ground out, DeAngelis opted to intentionally walk Gagnon to set up the double play. Morrison countered by calling for a suicide squeeze, but Dellerfon was tagged out between third and home when Bishop missed a bunt attempt. The inning ended with Bishop striking out.