Andre Chiefs

Malden, MA- Mike DiCato tossed a four hit shutout, and Juan Portes and Ryan Sonberg had a two-run homer each, when the Chiefs blanked the Wakefield Merchants 8-0 at Maplewood on Monday night.

DiCato, who allowed just one earned run in nine innings against Lexington last week, was equally impressive on this night.

Portes, in his first at bat of the season, gave the Chiefs a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when he turned a Clay Yianacopolus fastball around and deposited it deep over the centerfield fence for a two run homer. It was an impressive return to the lineup for the Chiefs’ standout and seven year Minnesota Twins veteran, who missed the first eleven games due to an off season injury.

DiCato retired the Merchants’ side in order in the top of the second and the lead went to 5-0 in the bottom of the inning. Paul Yanakopulos led off with a double off the left-centerfield fence and scored when Tony Serino delivered his second hit of the night, an opposite field double to left. Mike Burgoyne made it a 5-0 game when he tripled just inside the right-field line, scoring Burgoyne and Mike Barbati, who had walked.

Lou Tarantino got Wakefield’s first hit of the night in the top of the third before the Chiefs upped the lead to 7-0 on Sonberg’s two run homer to straightaway center.

Mike Sorrentino led off the visitor’s fourth with a single to center and following and infield out, DiCato got John Davison to bounce into a 5-4-3 doubleplay to end the inning.

The Chiefs pushed the lead to 8-0 in the bottom of the fourth off reliever John Russolillo on three walks and Mike Andre’s sacrifice fly to right.

DiCato cruised through the fifth and sixth innings.

In the bottom of the sixth, Sam Wishnow recorded the first hit of his ICL career with a sharp single to left.

DiCato, 2-1, struck out three and walked just one.

The Chiefs resume play, following the ICL's annual Fourth of July break, when they host the Melrose Americans at Maplewood on Monday, July 6 at 8:15 PM. On Tuesday, the Chiefs visit the Somerville Thunder at Trum Field at 8:30 PM. The Reading Bulldogs will make a visit to Maplewood on Wednesday at 8:15 PM.