Andre Chiefs

Medford, MA- Veteran left-hander Tim Dunphy (3-0-1) won his third straight decision in a 4-0 blanking of the Americans at humid Playstead Park in Medford on Sunday afternoon. For Dunphy, it was his second win over the Americans in less than a week as he was the winner in last Monday’s 12-3 win at Maplewood.

The Chiefs scored what proved to be the winning run in the top of the first inning. Jeff Bercume beat out an infield single to second base and Nat Witkowski singled to left. Mike Baillargeon followed with a line single to right that loaded the bases with nobody out. Tony Deshler, hitting in the cleanup spot, then grounded into a 4-6-3 doubleplay with Bercume scoring. Medford’s Ryan McNiff got out of the early jam with just the one run when he got Matt Boleski to fly out to right to end the inning.

The Chiefs got to McNiff for another run in the visitor’s second. After Mike DiCato grounded out, Mike Andre singled to right and Mike Barbati (pitcured left) dropped a single into short leftfield. Catcher Nick Leva was then hit by a McNiff pitch to load the bases. Bercume delivered Andre with a single to right to make it 2-0. McNiff got Witkowski to pop up and Baillargeon to fly to center to keep it a ttwo run game.

It stayed 2-0 until the top of the seventh when the Chiefs picked up a couple of insurance runs to double their lead to 4-0. Witkowski singled to left to get things started. McNiff got Baillargeon to fly to center for the first out. Witkowski then stole second and went to third when Deshler’s outfield fly was dropped to put runners at second and third with one out. Boleski drilled a single to right scoring Witkowski and when the ball was bobbled, Deshler came across with the fourth run.

Dunphy set the Americans down in order in the seventh to give the Chiefs their ninth win (9-2-2)of the year. He allowed just four hits, struck out four, and issued just one walk. He did not allow a runner to get beyond second base.

The Chiefs return to action on Monday when the host the 10-2-1 Lexington Blue Sox at Maplewood Park (Malden Catholic) at 7:45 PM. The Blue Sox were also 4-0 winners on Sunday, beating the Merchants in Wakefield.

Jared Freni (2-0-1) will draw the starting assignment for the Chiefs on Monday while the Blue Sox are expected to counter with ace Matt Karis (4-0).