Defensive mishaps prove to be costly, Kettleers blow out Bravos behind seven-run fourth inning

By: Nick Galle 

Coming off back-to-back losses for the first time this season, the Braves were looking to begin a new win streak in Cotuit. Although they jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to an RBI single from Peter Burns in the second and a solo home run from Dalton Rushing in the third, things were all said and done by the bottom of the fourth inning as the Kettleers crossed the plate at will.

Ken Turner was coasting through the first 2 2/3 innings, but a dropped third strike and two Bourne errors allowed Cotuit to put together a four-run inning. All four runs were unearned, and things were about to get a lot worse for the West Division’s No. 1 seed.

The Kettleers followed with a seven-run fourth that consisted of six hits, three of which were extra base hits. Eric Brown and Brett Roberts were among those doing the most damage, combining for four RBIs alone in the frame. Brown had a double with the bases loaded that cleared them, and Roberts launched a solo home run into the visiting bullpen to add insult to injury as Cotuit went on to beat Bourne for the second time this season 13-2.

Despite the defensive hiccups, Turner still battled through adversity to give field manager Harvey Shapiro 3 1/3 innings. He gave up six five hits, six runs (only one of which was earned), walked one and struck out four. The Hartford Hawk also worked his way out of a pair of tight situations, inducing two double-play balls.

“They’re a good hitting team, (so) you wanted to keep the ball down low. I think my fastball has a little bit of sink to it so I think that helps a lot,” Turner said. “I’m just trying to keep the ball down low, let them hit it into the ground, try and keep the ball out of the air when there’s a runner on first base and let the guys behind me do their thing.”

Rushing hit his team-leading sixth home run of the season and has now gone deep in back-to-back games. Josh Moylan went 2-for-3 with two singles, Tanner Schobel went 1-for-2 with two walks and Burns went 1-for-3 with the RBI base hit.

“Like I said the other night, I just had to see one and I feel like I’d be back. I had a pretty good night tonight, but obviously it’s tough with the loss,” Moylan said. “We’re alright. We know it’s a long season. We got off to such a hot start, it’s kind of hard to keep that going the whole time so we knew this kind of thing would happen. But we got a good group of guys.”

After allowing seven runs last night, the Bourne bullpen struggled once again, combining to give up seven runs, five of which were earned. The Bravos have now been outscored 30-11 over their three-game losing skid.

For the first time since Saturday, Bourne will be back at Doran Park at 6 p.m. for a matchup with the Red Sox. The Braves took down Y-D 8-5 back on July 16, a game in which the Bravos put together a four-run first inning.

Cover photo via: Joe Sullivan