3 Aug, 2005


Mariners aim to finish strong

With the playoff berth well out of reach mathematically, the Harwich Mariners (19-21) now turn their eyes on finishing the 2005 season on a positive note. Orleans (26-14) and Chatham (24-14-1) are on top with just four games remaining. 

Coming into Monday's game against the hard-hitting Chatham A's, Mariner pitcher Danny McDonald had an 0-2 record with a team low 4.88 ERA. In more than 27 innings pitched, McDonald recorded 25 strikeouts but had also given up 31 hits and 18 runs. With Chatham having the league's three top hitters in their lineup, McDonald would have his work cut out for him. 

With the Mariner squad counting on him to pitch a solid game, McDonald came through in fine fashion giving up only two earned runs before being replaced with two outs in the seventh. Harwich won 3-2. It was their third consecutive win. 

"I was really able to control my pitches well and hit my spots," said McDonald who raised his record to 1-2 on the year. "My off-speed stuff really helped me tonight; it got me out of some jams." 

McDonald held the A's hitless until a single in the fourth by Chatham's Baron Frost. 

The Mariners quickly got on the board with a solo run in the second thanks to Jim Negrych's sixth homerun of the year, a deep shot to right center off Chatham starter Robert Woodard. 

Following a gap double by Negrych, the Mariners found themselves with men on second and third with no one out. A sacrifice fly by Jake Dugger made the game 2-0. But Negrych was called for departing third early on an attempted sacrifice. 

Facing a jam in the bottom of the fifth with bases loaded, one out, and already one run in, McDonald battled his way back causing first and infield pop-up and then getting a much needed striking out to end the inning. 

"A few times tonight I was able to use my change-up to win some tough 3-2 match ups," said McDonald. "I just felt good tonight; I had good command of all my pitches." 

A bunted infield single by Joe Hough, scoring Brandon McArthur, made the score 3-1 in favor of the Mariners going into the bottom of the seventh.

Following an RBI single by Chatham's Adrian Ortiz in the bottom of the seventh, McDonald was pulled for reliever George Kontos. Kontos managed to pitch his way out of the inning and continued through the ninth for his first save of the season. He finished the game by pitching 2.1 innings and giving up only one hit while striking out four. 

On Sunday, the Mariners found themselves in a traditional "pitchers duel" against Brewster as it took 12 innings to finally decide the game. 

Harwich starter Kevin Mulvey pitched well as he surrendered five hits but no runs in his eight innings. Mulvey never was in real danger as struck out seven Brewster batters while only surrendering two walks. 

Mulvey passed the ball to Adam Ottavino in the ninth as he pitched more than two innings of scoreless relief while giving up four hits. 

In the top of the 12th inning of a scoreless tie, the Mariners finally got on the board when Chris Emanuel singled in Joe Hough putting Harwich ahead to stay. 

Tim Lincecum closed the game for Harwich by striking out two of the three Brewster batters he faced in the bottom of the inning, preserving the win. 

The Mariners finish their season at Orleans Wednesday, at Brewster Friday before playing at home against Y-D Saturday and the season finale against Brewster Sunday.

By Matt Rice
mrice@cnc.com