Alex Fernades drove home Matt Elwell with a fifth inning single, breaking a 2-2 tie, and leading the Melrose Americans to a 3-2 win over the Middlesex Expos on Monday at Morelli Field. Chris Klein and Aidan Berry had the other Americans’ RBI’s. Alex Parisi (4 innings) and Nick Bamforth (3-1, 3 innings) combined on a three-hitter with four K’s each…….In other games, the Boston Padres beat the Malden Maddogs 9-2 at Maplewood…..

Jack Volo (3-1), Cole Donato and Josh Becker combined on a two-hit shutout as the Blue Sox moved into first with a 2-0 win over the Andre Chiefs in Lexington. With two outs in the second Dom Gabardi singled. He went to third on Luke Maltacea’s single. Gabardi scored on an errant pickoff throw by Evan Walsh. Jake McElroy doubled to score Nick Andersen from first in fourth for the 2-0 lead. Volo was perfect through the first three before Joe Bova singled to lead off the fourth. The Chiefs loaded the bases in the fifth on three walks. Donato, who entered the game with two outs and two on, loaded the bases and then struck out Nick Valdario to end the threat. Bova got his and the Chiefs second hit with a double in the sixth. Walsh (0-2) took the loss……At Maplewood, Zak Whitney, Liam Childs and Brock Haynes (2-0) combined on a five-hitter to lead the Malden Maddogs to a 4-3 win over the Lexington Bulldogs. Chris Kinsella, with a double, drove in half of the Maddogs runs…..