Game 11: East Boston Knights @ Brighton Minutemen 6/26/12
The Knights and Minutemen faced off at Ronan where the offensive fireworks led the headlines. The Knights sent rookie right hander Kyle O’Neil to the bump to face-off against gritty veteran Dana Levensaler. Neither pitcher lasted long as offense was the name of the game.
The Knights jumped out to an early 4 – 0 lead only to give back 3 runs in the bottom of the frame to make it 4 – 3. The Knights grabbed another run in the 2nd to take a 5 – 3 lead but the Minutemen stormed right back in the 3rd with 2 to tie it up at 5. Both teams scored 4 runs in the next 2 innings to keep the game tied at 9.
In the top of the 6th an Anthony Ortiz singled to right to scored Ben McBride to take a one run lead into the bottom of the 6th but the Minutemen refused to go away scoring 2 of their own in the bottom of the frame to take a 1 run lead. The Knight’s answered the bell scoring 6 more runs in the 7th to take a 16-11 lead.
Branden Eaton who came on in relief in the 6th closed the door for the Knights in this one while earning his YBL leading 4th win. Too many stars in this game to list but the 3, 4 and 5 hitters for the Knights (Brian Dinapoli, Wilson Mercado Camacho Jr., Que-knee Polanco) combined for 9 hits and 8 RBI. In the end the Knights sweep the season series against the Minutemen enroute to their 7th straight victory.
Game 12: East Boston Knights @ Brighton Sox 6/28/12
The Knights traveled to Ronan Park to take on the Black Sox in their first of 2 meetings on the season. The Knights sent Branden Eaton to the mound to face off against Sam Kennedy-Smith.
The Knights struck first scoring 3 runs in the top of the 2nd to take a 3-0 lead. The Sox countered with 4 runs of their own to take a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 4th.
The Knights came right back scoring a run to tie it in the top of the 4th before Matt Rodriguez crushed a 2-0 fastball in the top of the 5th for his first Homerun in a Knights uniform to take a 5-4 lead that would not be given back.
Eaton settled in nicely after a shaky 4th inning that seen him give up 4 runs. He pitched six innings striking out 8 while earning his YBL leading 5th win.
Matt Rodriguez was 4 for 5 with a HR and Wilson Mercado continued to stay red hot going 4 for 4 with a walk and is now batting .484 on the season. The Knights win their 8th straight.
Game 13: Brighton Braves @ East Boston Knights 6/30/12
The East Boston Knights welcomed the Brighton Braves to McConnell Field for the first matchup of these 2 teams this season. The Knights sent Sean Hannon to the mound and the Braves countered with Mike Perlis. This match-up featured 2 teams who have won 18 out of their last 19 games.
The Braves threatened first, in the top of the 2nd inning they had 2nd and 3rd with no outs after a James Roberto double. Sean Hannon then dug in and struck out the next 3 hitters to retire the side. The Knights scored a pair in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-0 lead. The Knights then exploded for 8 runs in the 4th inning to take a 10-0 lead.
Sean Hannon cruised the rest of the way allowing only 3 hits, 8Ks, and walking only one Braves hitter all day. Offensively for the Knights Matt Rodriguez was 2 for 3 with a double, walk and 3RBI. Anthony Ortiz was 3 for 3. The Knights have now won 9 straight games.
Game 14: Al Thomas A's @ East Boston Knights 7/2/12
The East Boston Knights welcomed the Al Thomas A's to East Boston Stadium Monday night as they look to open the month of July the same way they open last month, a win. Game was scoreless until the 3rd as the A's strike first. But the A's fireworks didn't stop there as their bats came with all guns blazing pounding starter Felipe Barahona with a 6 run 4th. Bill Clang tossed 5 strong innings as the A's rode a 6-run 4th inning to beat the Knights 7-3. Aidan Powers went 3-3, while John Kostas and Tom Trull had 2 hits apiece to lead Al Thomas. The A's defense held off an East Boston rally with a couple of defensive web gems including robbing a Geoff Harris base hit by the second baseman and a 9-3 double play in the 6th as their right fielder made a spectular catch and throw to first. On the bright side for the Knights, Sean Perkins threw 3 shutout innings in relief and Ben McBride hit his homer of the season. The Knights come to the break in first place in the Carl Yastremski division as they provided offensive fireworks along the way.
Game 15: South Boston Saints @ East Boston Knights 7/2/12
The East Boston Knights welcomed the South Boston to East Boston Stadium Monday night as they look to start a winning streak on their own after a tough loss to the Al Thomas Athletics. It was supposed to be a pitchers duel between Jim Farrell and Steve Hueston. Game was scoreless until the Saints exploded with 8 runs in the second and third combined as walks, hit batsmen, and Knight defensive errors contributed to all the scoring. The Knights bats seemed like they were hungover by the long week off. It was a night to forget as they lost possession of first place in the Yaz division as they were shutout 8-0. The bright side of the Knights is 2012 EB Knights Purple Heart Award winner Alex Samaras reached base on a walk in his YBL debut as his OBP is at 1.000. All in all, its a tough night for the home town team as the only highlight on the night (except for Yankee fans on the squad) is Robinson Cano getting cheered by Kansas City fans after hitting zero homeruns in the homerun derby.
