CHATHAM, Mass. – The Anglers (15-12) were rolling coming into Saturday night’s contest against the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox (13-14). They could do no wrong. The bloopers were falling, the bounces were favorable, and the sailing was smooth. But things just didn’t fall into place as nicely for them on Saturday night.

“It happens,” said Manager John Schiffner.

After winning four consecutive games by an average margin of six runs, Chatham saw their streak stunted in an 8-1 loss to the Red Sox.

Garrett Hampson (Long Beach State) played his first game since returning from Team USA Saturday. 

The player responsible for supplying the majority of the Red Sox juice was Gio Brusa (Pacific). The switch-hitting outfielder contributed five RBIs by way of two home runs and a single. He has now recorded a hit in his last nine contests.

Brusa's performance primarily accounted for the lone blemish on an otherwise stellar summer for Chatham starter Zac Gallen (North Carolina).

The right-handed Tar Heel had not given up an earned run in 15 innings entering the contest. Even after taking his first loss of the year, the now 1-1 Gallen maintains a 2.38 ERA and is fourth in the league with 26 total strikeouts.

“You can’t go out there and be perfect every night and win every game,” said Schiffner. “But he’s a competitor. He’ll be back.”

On the other side, Yarmouth’s Ricky Thomas (Fresno State) became the first Cape League pitcher to record five wins this season. Though the Anglers weren't able to give him his first loss, they were able to chase the left-hander in 5.2 innings (tied for his shortest outing of the summer).

Offensively, Aaron Knapp (California) delivered an RBI single that extended his hit streak to six games.

“I’ve just been trying to see the ball and hit the ball,” said Knapp of his streak. “I’m not trying to think too much. Just hit hard, make good contact, and put good swings on it.”

Meanwhile, the Angler bullpen put together another solid outing. Jonathan Teaney (San Diego) struck out one in two innings of one-run ball, and Jeff Paschke surrendered a single hit in two scoreless innings.

In the ninth, two-way player Trenton Brooks (Nevada) tossed a one-run frame in his second appearance on the rubber for the Anglers.  

“Trenton is a competitor,” said Schiffner. “He’s not afraid of coming after hitters. He’s an accomplished pitcher—he had four wins for his school. He knows what he’s doing out there.”

Garret Hampson (Long Beach State) also played his first game since returning from Team USA. The shortstop played seven games in the beginning of the season before shipping out to wear the stars and stripes.

“I missed Chatham a little bit,” said Hampson. “It’s good to be back for sure.”

The Anglers next hit the road to battle the Mariners (12-14) in Harwich 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Second-year Angler Garrett Williams (Oklahoma State) is expected to get his first start of this summer, while Harwich will likely throw the right-handed Joe O’Donnell (North Carolina State).