Daily Fog: Do or Die

A few days ago, it looked like Brewster and Falmouth stood the best chance of chasing down Chatham for the sixth and final playoff spot. Now, both those teams are getting backed against the wall, with a playoff spot looking further and further away.

But Chatham isn't home free yet.

Harwich has won three and tied one in its last five games, but the big one came last night. In a head-to-head battle, Harwich beat Chatham 1-0. A win by the Anglers there would have given them a seven-point cushion. Harwich, with three games left, wouldn't have been able to catch them. Brewster actually would have been in a better spot.

As it stands now, though, Harwich is right there and with another Harwich-Chatham game scheduled for tonight, the Mariners have a shot to get closer.

Last night, the Mariners won on the strength of their first shutout since July 3, which also came against Chatham. This time, it was Aaron Meade (Missouri State) delivering the gem with five strikeouts and four hits allowed in 7.2 innings. Meade, with his 1.91 ERA, has been Harwich's best starter this summer, and he certainly delivered when it counted. Brian Dupra (Notre Dame) relieved Meade and worked 1.1 scoreless innings.

The win is all the more impressive because it matched an ace against an ace, with Chatham's Tyler Lyons (Oklahoma State) -- the reigning league pitcher of the week -- striking out seven in 7.1 innings of work. But Harwich touched him up for a single run in the seventh. Conner Powers (Mississippi State) singled, took second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a base hit by Stuart Tapley (Florida State). Joe Loftus (Vanderbilt) then delivered a single to plate Powers for the only offense Harwich needed.

Just like that, the Mariners are alive and well.

And making things very interesting.

Elsewhere

I still wouldn't count Brewster out. The Whitecaps are four points back of Chatham, but yesterday's 15-5 loss to Y-D certainly doesn't help the cause. Mickey Wiswall (Boston College) hit two home runs and had six RBI for the Red Sox, who picked up their league-best 25th win of the season. The Red Sox are one victory or one Orleans loss away from clinching the regular-season East title.

Cotuit, Bourne and Wareham all won last night, keeping their nip-and-tuck West race exactly where it was. Cotuit came away with a 7-4 victory over Orleans. Zach Cone (Georgia) had three RBI, Cameron Rupp (Texas) hit a homer and drove in two and Kevin Patterson (Auburn) went 3-for-3 to lead the Kettleers. Patterson is six for his last eight. On the mound, Ben Rowen (Virginia Tech) picked up the win in relief and Daniel Tillman (Florida Southern) worked one scoreless inning.

Bourne edged Hyannis 7-6 thanks in large part to a five-run sixth inning. Rob Segedin (Tulane), Stefen Romero (Oregon State) and recent addition B.J. LaRosa (Bucknell) all drove in two runs for the Braves. Kyle Roller (East Carolina) hit his league-best ninth home run. The Braves have one more win but are one point back of Cotuit for first place. The Braves have four games left, while Cotuit and Wareham both have three.

Wareham remained tied with Bourne thanks to a 6-5 victory over Falmouth. The Gatemen trailed late but scored two in the seventh on a double by Rob Kral (College of Charleston), a late addition who's playing in just his third game. Alex Dickerson also drove in two for the Gatemen, who got an outstanding relief performance by Matt Barnes (Indiana). Barnes struck out eight and allowed one run on one hit in four innings. Barnes was credited with the win and Dean Kiekhefer (Louisville) got the save. For Falmouth, Todd Cunningham went 2-for-5 and is hitting .395.

What to Watch For Tonight

Chatham at Harwich, 7 p.m. Jake Thompson (San Diego), who has struggled this summer, goes for the Anglers against John Gast (Florida State). Gast has a 4.15 ERA.