Andre Chiefs

Medford, MA- With all due respect to Reds righty Karl Alexander, who threw a tidy five hit shutout gem, the Chiefs turned in another anemic offensive performance that led to a 2-0 defeat at Huskins Field on Saturday afternoon. It was the third time the locals were shutout in their last five games as they have only scored three times over that same five game time frame.

The lineup shuffling continued as the once potent Chiefs attack struggles to find some offensive support for its still powerful pitching staff. They are minus no less than six starters from the opening day lineup and no less than eight regulars from last season’s championship finalists.

Currently out of the lineup are Mike Baillargeon, who signed professionally with the Can-Am League, Jeff Bercume who signed with the Oakland A’s, Dario Pizzano who signed with the North Shore Shore Navigators, Hal Landers who signed with Front Royal Cardinals, Brendan Pyburn who has been out with injuries for six weeks, Peter Copa who is done for the season after undergoing surgery last Monday and Brain Macrina who is still out with a nagging hamstring problem. Although still strong, the pitching staff has not avoided the injury bug or the defection scenario with Dan Lozeau (elbow), Mike DiCato (shoulder) and Isaac Oakley (hamstring) out with injuries to go along with Eric Perrault (signed with North Adams Steeplecats) and Ryan O’Rourke (signed with the Minnesota Twins) gone from the opening day roster.

Overcoming two, three, four or even five injuries or defections certainly seemed possible with the depth and talent of this edition of the Chiefs over the first half of the 2010 season. But when the numbers start to approach the ten, eleven and twelve level, the odds of overcoming that scenario becomes increasingly insurmountable.

It was the same old story on Saturday, just as every other game over the last two weeks, when the Chiefs got another outstanding pitching performance, this time from Jared Freni, but just could not muster any offensive support. Alexander (2-3) allowed just five hits and cruised to a complete game shutout win. The Reds won the game in the top of the seventh when pinch-hitter Brain Casey led off with a single. Leadoff man Sam Sager followed with another single to left. Veteran Luke Begley then attempted a sacrifice bunt which first baseman Matt Anderson fielded and threw Casey out at third. Lefty Tim Dunphy then replaced Freni, who had thrown 102 pitches, he and got Chris Burke to pop out. Begley stole second and with the count 2-2, Sean Callahan delivered a check swing single to left, scoring both Sager and Begley, giving the Reds the win.

Alexander (2-3) from Bates College, struck out five and did not issue a walk. Freni (3-2), allowed six hits and struck out seven in his 6.1 innings of work.

"Obviously we are struggling to find some consisent offense", said Chiefs manager Chuck Andre. "Despite the injuries and the signings, which by the way, we are pleased because its shows the caliber of player this franchise attracts, we still have some serious veteran bats in this lineup that we need to step up and carry us into the playoffs", he added.

The Chiefs will attempt to rebound on Sunday when they send staff ace Dylan Ellis (6-1) to the hill against the Merchants at Walsh Field in Wakefield in a 5:30 PM start. -B.Tilman