Red Sox Repeat Falls Short

After weeks of rainouts and re-scheduled games, the Red Sox finally took the field for their semi-final playoff matchup against the Colt 45's. To make up for lost time, the best-of-three series was shortened to one game this past Sunday at Hartford Crossing Field. The Colt 45's sent 2011 GPMABL Cy Young Award winner Ian Downes to the mound, while the Sox countered with the 2010 Cy Young, Eric Guise.

The Red Sox could only muster two unearned runs against the Colt's ace, and lost 6-2.  Although the quest for a repeat championship came to an abrupt end, the Red Sox still enjoyed a visit from their #1 fan, Aidan Peterson.  Aidan is the son of former Red Sox teammate Don Peterson who passed away four years ago.  Thanks Aidan's mother, Amy, for the picture!

No Hits? No Problem.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Red Sox squared off against the Muckdogs. The Sox won the season series 3-1, but the Muckdogs wouldn't go down without a fight.

Although the Sox did not register a hit, they small-balled their way to three runs by way of walks, errors and stolen bases.

Bret Binder took the mound for the Sox, and has been looking more and more like his pre-surgery self. He pitched a solid 6 innings, while working out of several bases-loaded jams with the help of his defense. Joe Gorman finished off the 7th to earn the save.

Shout out to teammate Fred Kerner for the pictures. He took a bunch, and here's the rest of the album.

The skies opened up after the game, and rained out the subsequent matchups. Because of the rain, the revised playoff schedule has the Sox playing one game on Sunday, at 12:30pm, against the winner of the Colt 45's and Outlaws. It will be a best-of-three series, with Game 2 and 3 (if necessary) played the follow Sunday, on August 21st.

This Sunday's game will be at Plymouth Meeting.

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Red Sox Split Third Doubleheader in a Row

Game 1 featured a classic pitcher's duel as the co-1st place Colt 45's featured veteran Ian Downes on the mound versus the Sox ace, Eric Guise. Although the Red Sox only managed four hits, they made them count. Bryan Withrow singled in the 4th inning, then stole second, third and then home to put the first run on the board for the Sox. Bill Johnson's single in the top of the 7th inning broke up the 1-1 tie, scoring Guise from 2nd. Despite some shaky defense in the bottom half of the inning, Guise closed out the Colt 45's and picked up the W as the Sox prevailed 2-1.

The Red Sox couldn't find any answers at the plate or in field in Game 2, as the Colt 45's bounced back to earn the split.

Here are the updated stats.

The Colt 45's continue to share 1st place in the Penn Division with the Red Sox.

PENN DIVISION	W	L	%	GB
Philadelphia Colt .45s	15	8	.652	-
Red Sox	15	8	.652	-
Philadelphia Muckdogs	8	13	.381	6
Aston Outlaws	6	15	.285	8
FRANKLIN DIVISION	W	L	%	GB
Philadelphia Comets	19	4	.826	-
Philadelphia A's	18	5	.783	1
Mayfair Fighting Irish	5	18	.217	14
Quad County Brawlers	4	19	.211	15

To close out the regular season, the Red Sox return to Plymouth Meeting for a rain make-up to again take on the Colt 45's.

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Red Sox Split with the Irish

In Game 1, the Irish battled back for two runs in the 7th to force extras, and then added two in the 8th to take the lead. The Sox managed one run in the bottom of the 8th, but couldn't find another as the Irish took the W.

Bret Binder took the mound in Game 2 and continued to show improvement as he recovers from offseason surgery. He pitched a solid 6 innings and earned his first W of the year as the Sox took game two, 7-3.

Here are the updated stats and standings.

PENN DIVISION	W	L	%	GB
Philadelphia Colt .45s	14	7	.667	-
Red Sox	14	7	.667	-
Aston Outlaws	6	13	.316	7
Philadelphia Muckdogs	6	13	.316	7
FRANKLIN DIVISION	W	L	%	GB
Philadelphia Comets	18	3	.857	-
Philadelphia A's	17	4	.810	1
Mayfair Fighting Irish	4	17	.190	14
Quad County Brawlers	3	18	.143	15

The Red Sox head to Plymouth Meeting for the next two weeks to take on the Colt 45's. It'll be a battle for the Penn Division championship to end the season.

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Sox Split with Comets

Playing without their two aces, the Sox battled for a split with the 1st Place Comets of the Franklin Division.

In Game 1, Brett Hiett pitched a complete game with 13 strikeouts to lead the Red Sox to a 8-6 victory at La Salle University. The field turf was hot, but the Sox bats were hotter as they cranked out 17 hits.

But in Game 2, the patch-work pitching staff gutted out seven innings, but the bats and defense cooled down. A late come-back fell short, and the Sox lost 13-8.

Will Caton led the Sox with five hits at the plate.

Here are the updated stats and standings.

PENN DIVISION	W	L	%	GB
Philadelphia Colt .45s	13	6	.684	-
Red Sox	13	6	.684	-
Aston Outlaws	6	11	.353	6
Philadelphia Muckdogs	4	13	.235	8
FRANKLIN DIVISION	W	L	%	GB
Philadelphia Comets	16	3	.841	-
Philadelphia A's	16	3	.841	-
Mayfair Fighting Irish	3	16	.158	13
Quad County Brawlers	3	16	.158	13

On Sunday, the Sox head back home to Latshaw McCarthy to take on the 3-16 Mayfair Fighting Irish. First pitch is at 10am.

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Guise Goes the Distance

Eric Guise threw a complete game to lead the Red Sox 5-3 over the A's in the annual 9-inning Father's Day game.

The Red Sox have taken two out of three from the A's this season, and have given them their only losses thus far.

With the win, the Sox improve to 10-5 and remain one game behind the Colt 45's.

PENN DIVISION	W	L	%	GB
Philadelphia Colt .45s	11	4	.733	-
Red Sox	10	5	.667	1
Aston Outlaws	4	9	.308	6
Philadelphia Muckdogs	4	9	.308	6
FRANKLIN DIVISION	W	L	%	GB
Philadelphia Comets	13	2	.867	-
Philadelphia A's	13	2	.867	-
Mayfair Fighting Irish	2	13	.133	11
Quad County Brawlers	1	14	.067	12

On Sunday, the Sox visit LaSalle (Bartley) to take on the 2-13 Mayfair Fighting Irish. First pitch is at 10am. See you there!

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