Andre Chiefs

Medford, MA- Chiefs right-hander Rob Machado threw a no-hitter on Thursday evening as the Chiefs blanked the Reading Bulldogs 4-0 at Tufts University.

Machado used an overpowering fastball combined with sharp slider to strike out nine Bulldogs, including the side in order in both the fifth and seventh innings. The former Malden Catholic and UMass-Amherst standout threw 103 pitches over the seven inning route.

The Chiefs were forced to go with a patchwork lineup and it paid dividends on this night. No less than four starters from Wednesday’s game, Nick Leva, Mike Baillargeon, Vinny Pennell & Justin Crisafulli, were out of the starting line-up.

Machado retired the Reading side in order in the top of the first and the Chiefs gave him all the runs he would need in their first at bat. Tony Deshler was hit by a Colin McGinn pitch and he went to second on Dave Scioli’s fielder’s choice. Peter Copa then singled up the middle scoring Deshler to give the Chiefs a quick 1-0 lead.

It stayed a one run game until catcher Chad Conner (pictuerd right) drilled a bomb shot solo homer to left leading off the bottom of the fourth inning. Conner was making his first appearance for the Chiefs since 2007 replacing the injured Leva behind the plate.

Machado stayed dominant and his mates finally gave him some breathing room in the bottom of the sixth when they opened the lead to 4-0. Conner, who was 2 for 3 in his return, got things started with a double to center. Mike DiCato drove Conner home and switched places with him at second when he drilled a double of his own into the left field corner. Torrid Mike Barbati, who is 7 for his last 10 and has raised his average to .367, then singled sending DiCato to third. McGinn then got Matt Bolseki swinging for the inning’s first out before Crisafulli, nursing a hamstring injury, came off the bench to pinch hit for Paul Yanakopulos and brought DiCato home with a sacrifice fly to center.

In impressive fashion, Machado was to leave no doubts, striking out the side swinging in the seventh to finalize the no-hitter.

Thursday’s gem was not the first time has Machado flirted in no-hit territory. He was one strike away from the accomplishment back on August 9, 2009. Machado’s bid went by the boards when Lexington rookie pinch-hitter Chris Shaw broke it up on a two out, two strike, opposite field single to left in a 3-0 Chiefs win.

It was the Chiefs first no-hitter since Keith Forbes turned the trick against the Wakefield Merchants at Walsh Field on June 13, 2007. Prior to Forbes, the last Chiefs masterpiece was provided by former Boston Red Sox hurler Mike Carista in a July 14, 1995, win over the Cremone A’s at Morelli Field in Melrose.

In an interesting footnote, Machado’s no-hitter was the first ever for a Chiefs pitcher at Tufts University’s Huskins Field. The team moved there from Playstead Park in 1989. The team’s last two no-hitters were pitched on the road.

Rob Machado’s No-Hitter Inning by Inning
First Inning: Cataldo struck out swinging, B. Flutie popped up, Manzi struck out swinging.
Second Inning: Fischer was HBP, Buitkus grounded to Andre at 3B, Gagnon grounded to Andre at 3B, Hartwell flew to Deshler in CF.
Third Inning: Hasley walked, Russo grounded to Andre at 3B, Cataldo struck out swinging, B. Flutie walked, Manzi grounded out to Scioli at SS.
Fourth Inning: Fischer grounded to Scioli at SS, Buitkus grounded to Andre at 3B, Gagnon flew to Deshler in CF
Fifth Inning: Hartwell struck out swinging, Halsey struck out swinging, Russo struck out swinging.
Sixth Inning: Cataldo grounded to Barbati at 2B, B. Flutie walked, Manzi flew to Deshler in CF, Fischer walked, Buitkus grounded back to Machado
Seventh Inning: Gagnon struck out swinging, Hartwell struck out swinging, Halsey struck out swinging.