Coming off Chatham’s second offensive shutout of the season — a 3-0 loss to Brewster at Veterans Field, the Anglers will face a team it’s average eight runs a game against in Orleans.

The A’s loss on Sunday was marred by two home run swings: one that followed a broken-up no-hitter in the fifth inning and another offer reliever Austin Vernon (North Carolina Central). 

“We were one, two hits key hits away from winning the ball game,” Sunday’s starting pitch Kolby Kubichek said. “Could’ve been 4-3, we lost 3-0.”

Orleans is coming off a 5-2 loss to Yarmouth-Dennis that saw a 2-1 advantage shrink to a three-run deficit in the bottom of the eighth, the final frame of the game. The Firebirds allowed four of Y-D’s seven hits in the final inning.

Probable pitchers

RJ Dabovich (Arizona State) will get the start. The righty has been consistent for Chatham, allowing an earned run or less in all of his four outings. Dabovich has 13 strikeouts in 10 innings and hasn’t pitched in a loss all season.

Parker Scott (Oklahoma State) is expected to come in relief. The left-handed pitcher has yet to give up a run in 6.2 innings this season, and in his two appearances, he’s led the A’s to two wins. Eight strikeouts and a .75 WHIP highlight his early season campaign. On Monday, he’ll look to continue the A’s pitching success. 

Austin Love (North Carolina) will be on the mound for the Firebirds. In 7.2 innings, the right-hander has allowed just two hits and no runs. Batters has a 0.87 batting average against Love albeit the small sample size.

Players to watch

Ben Ramirez (USC) had what he called one of his best offensive performances of the season on Sunday. The infielder had three of the A’s eight hits in the 3-0 loss. Ramirez attributes the success to rhythm in early batting practice with hitting coach Mickey Tettleton. Paired with minor tweaks, Ramirez has two home runs this season after not hitting one since his freshman year of college. 

Following a slight slump after being the Cape League’s batting average leader to start the season, Jamal O’Guinn (USC) has picked his average back up to .319, one of the highest marks in the league, again. On Sunday, O’Guinn had two more hits. His 17 RBIs lead the A’s.

Stat to know — 17

Chatham and Orleans’ pitching staff has allowed just 17 home runs combined, nine and eight, respectively. The Firebirds’ number is the lowest in the league and the A’s is tied for second. The combined 17 homers is lower than two teams (Hyannis - 25, Y-D - 19) teams.

Last time they played

The Anglers took an early 8-1 lead, but the Firebirds fought back in the final two frames on the Fourth of July. Eventually, Jorge Arenas (Stetson), an infielder, got a one-out save to Chatham at 8-7 win.