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Braves fall to Chatham, clinch playoff spot with Hyannis loss

By: Carson Field

If one word could describe the 2019 Braves’ season, it would be unpredictable. Regardless of the team’s inconsistency, Bourne will play in the postseason. 

Despite losing 6-2 to Chatham on Friday, the Braves clinched a playoff spot, due to Hyannis’ loss to Brewster. This marks Bourne’s first playoff appearance 2019. 

“It’s good to be back,” manager Harvey Shapiro said. “We would’ve made it last year, but our division was strong.”

To close the regular season, the Braves play seven games in six days. Shapiro said there’s still work to do before the postseason. 

“We need to get better,” Shapiro said. “Our offense can’t find any consistency, and we’re not being disciplined enough.”

While the higher-arching result was favorable, Friday’s game wasn’t for the Braves. Offensively, the Braves crossed the plate just twice. That held no weight against Chatham’s night at the plate, which was fueled by a four-run first inning. 

Tonight’s starter, Mac Lardner, allowed four hits and a walk in the first frame. Because of this troublesome start, Lardner earned his second loss of the year. 

After that, however, Lardner found his groove. He recorded an immaculate inning in the third and struck out seven consecutive batters. 

To Shapiro, this recovery came as no shock. 

“He’s done it before,” Shapiro said. “He’s a veteran and is good in that situation.”

Trailing 5-1, Joshua Culliver came on in relief, giving up an earned run. After Culliver exited, Kerry Wright threw three scoreless innings — his best outing of the season. 

But that didn’t matter. The first inning created an inescapable hole and, ultimately, allowed Chatham to win. 

Even though Friday didn’t go as Bourne hoped, the Braves sit just eight points behind third-place Wareham. With two wins in Saturday’s doubleheader against Falmouth, the Braves could climb the West Division ladder.