The Cotuit Kettleers are very much in the race for the Western Division title, but will face some tough competition down the stretch. After the All-Star break, they will have three games with Eastern Division teams including two against the hard-charging Chatham A’s before facing the Bourne Braves on the road next Friday. If the Kettleers can come away with a couple of wins against Eastern Division clubs, then they’ll be in a position to determine their own fate when they face Bourne, Wareham, and Hyannis in the final three games for the season.

League-leading Orleans showed no mercy Wednesday night, shutting out the Kettleers 7-0. Daniel Moskos (Clemson) got the start for Cotuit lasting five innings, allowing two runs on two hits, while striking out six. Taylor Parker (Missouri) pitched two innings in relief, surrendering five runs before turning it over to Michael Hollander (LSU) for the ninth.

Cotuit scratched out three hits against Cardinals’ pitching with Todd Davison (Delaware), Roberto Lopez (USC), and Emeel Salem (Alabama) each connecting for a base hit.

Tuesday, the league announced its 2005 all-star line-up that includes five Kettleers. The entire left side of the infield will be Kettleers with Brad Boyer (Arizona) at second base, Jason Donald (Arizona) at shortstop, and Bryan Harris (Cal State Fullerton) at third. Sean Gaston (Notre Dame) was selected as the starting right fielder and Chris Tonequzzi (Perdue) should get some work in relief. Boyer will also compete in the home run hitting contest.

A strong first half of the season has turned into a losing record for the Harwich Mariners, and the Kettleers dealt them another defeat Monday in a 6-4 win.

Jeff Manship (Notre Dame) got the start and went six innings giving up one run on four hits and striking out six. Charles Blackman (Young Harris) and Derik Olvey (Notre Dame) combined to pitch the seventh surrendering one run before giving the hill to Toneguzzi in the eighth. Toneguzzi ran into some trouble in the ninth, giving up two runs and turning what began as a non-save situation into his fifth save of the season. Olvey was credited with the win.

Cotuit opened the scoring in the fourth picking up a run on a Bryan Harris (Cal State Fullerton) single into left field that scored Julio Borbon (Tennessee). The Kettleers took advantage of some sloppy play by the Mariners in the seventh when Salem, Boyer, and Gaston all scored unearned runs.

Gaston added two more runs in the eighth with a single into right field. He finished the afternoon 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs.

They may be the top team in the Cape League this summer but Orleans couldn’t top Cotuit Sunday as the Kettleers welcomed the Cardinals to Lowell Park, handing them a 5-0 loss.

Josh Johnson (Mississippi State) was in total control for eight full innings holding the hard-hitting Cardinals to just three hits, while striking out six. Olvey took over in the ninth, preserving the shoutout and giving Johnson (4-0) the win.

The Kettleer offense broke out in the sixth scoring twice. Boyer drove in Salem, with the first run knocking Orleans starter Andy Graham (UC Santa Barbara) out of the game. Boyer later came around to score when Davison hit into a fielder’s choice.

Cotuit put the Cardinals away in the eighth with three more runs. Harris hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield that scored Borbon. Davison crossed the plate on a wild pitch, and Jordan brought Gaston home on a triple down the right field line.

Boyer finished the afternoon 2-for-3 with a walk. He scored a run and had an RBI. The Cotuit cause was helped along by a wild pitch, a hit batter, a passed ball and five walks, compliments of Orleans pitching.

Saturday, the A’s handed the Kettleers a 6-1 loss at Veteran’s Field in Chatham. Barret Browning (Florida State) lasted six innings, giving up two runs on seven hits. Moskos came on in the seventh allowing two more runs and Taylor Parker (Missouri) surrendered a pair in the eighth.

Cotuit’s run came in the ninth when Gaston singled and scored on a base hit by Donald.

After battling Wareham to a tie last week, the Kettleers picked up a 2-1 win over Brewster on Friday behind the solid pitching of Clay Dirks (LSU). Dirks went seven innings giving up just one unearned run on four hits while fanning six. Moskos came on for an inning and two-thirds of no-hit relief before giving way to Toneguzzi who finish it off.

The Whitecaps picked up their run in the six on an infield error. Cotuit tied the score in the ninth whenDavison drove in Shane Jordan (Stetson), and won it in the 10th on Hollander’s sacrifice fly that scored Devin Thomas (Brown).

The Kettleers host Falmouth today in a 2 PM start. Dirks is expected to get the ball for Cotuit.