An interesting and costly play in the fourth inning spurred a 6-0 defeat of the Anglers Thursday night at Whitehouse Field in Harwich, with the Mariners picking up their sixth win of the season. The Anglers, with the loss, fall to 9-5-1, good for third best in the Eastern Division.

Chatham starter Joe Zimmerman (New Orleans) pitched well through his first three innings of work, and got a quick out to begin the fourth after Harwich shortstop Austin Nola (LSU) flew out to center. Two consecutive walks on the ensuing at-bats put men on first and second, and after a pop out to short by right fielder Brian Goodwin (UNC), designated hitter Clint Moore (West Point) blasted a ball to deep right field. Anglers right fielder Peter Verdin (Georgia) looked to have a bead on it, leaping at the wall and making the catch. Verdin, however, was unable to hang on to the ball, and dropped it over the wall for what was ruled a three-run home run to put the Mariners up 3-0.

Zimmerman came on to start the fifth inning, and after getting Harwich center fielder Mikie Mahtook (LSU) to ground out, he allowed a two-out double by shortstop Taylor Motter (Coastal Carolina). Left fielder Ronnie Richardson (Central Florida) drove Motter home in the next at-bat with an RBI single. Nola singled in the next at-bat, and after walking third baseman Levi Michael (UNC), Kenny Monteith (Winthrop) was brought on to relieve Zimmerman. Monteith gave up an RBI single in the next at-bat by catcher Pratt Maynard (NC State) before inducing two straight popouts to end the inning with Harwich leading 5-0.

The Mariners tacked on one final run in the seventh inning off of first-time Angler Greg Larson (Florida). Michael led off the inning with a single, and was advanced to second on a balk after Larson bobbled and dropped a pickoff attempt to first. Maynard reached in the next at-bat after popping up to the left side of the infield and having the ball drop in and out of the glove of Anglers third baseman Mark Ginther (Oklahoma St.) Michael would come around to score on an RBI single by Goodwin in the next at-bat to put Harwich up 6-0. Chatham ended the contest with just five hits.

Zimmerman was saddled with the loss, his first, after allowing five runs on five hits and four walks with one strikeout through 4.1 innings of work. Harwich starter Adam Morgan (Alabama) pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out six. The win was his first. Monteith struck out one and allowed two hits through 1.2 innings of relief. Matt Brazis (Boston College) pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out one.

The Anglers return home Friday night for the first of a two-game home stand, squaring off against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks at Veteran's Field in a 7pm start. Tune in to the broadcast starting at 6:40pm with the Anglers Extra Pregame Show. You can listen live at www.chathamanglers.com, or by dialing in to the TRZ Teamline at 1-800-846-4700 and entering the team code 3841.

Check back later for a full recap....

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www.flickr.com Chatham Anglers' Game 15 at Harwich, 7/1/10 photoset