Bulldogs Secure Playoff Spot, Chiefs & Blue Sox Clinch First-Round Byes

The Reading Bulldogs clinched a playoff spot with two wins at Endicott College on Monday night. The Bulldogs beat the Arlington Trojans 7-3 to complete a suspended game, and then got a homer from Mike Taylor and went on to win the second game 10-2.

At Pine Banks, Josh Desai went to 6-0, and threw his third straight shutout, when he out-dueled Chris Mitchell (4-4) as the Chiefs beat the Americans 1-0 to clinch a first-round playoff bye. Matt Nuzzo supplied the game’s only run with a solo homer in the first inning.

In Lexington, the Blue Sox used a two-run sixth inning homer from Dan Graham to tie the game, then got a walk-off seventh inning single from Julian Alvarez, to come from behind to edge the Watertown Reds 3-2. Chris Law (2-1) got the win in relief as the Blue Sox also clinched a first-round bye. Justin Forman’s solo homer and Dan Chaisson’s single gave the Reds a 2-0 third inning lead. Bill Sullivan (3-1) struck out 10 despite taking the loss.

There are three games on tonight’s ICL schedule. The Somerville Royals visit the Trojans at Summer Street Field at 6:15 PM, the Chiefs visit the Americans at Morelli Field in Melrose at 7:30 PM, and the Wakefield Merchants and Blue Sox tangle in Lexington at 8:00 PM.

Prior to the Chiefs-Americans game at Morelli Field, former Chiefs’ Bench Coach Steve Calabresi’s number will be retired. “Coach Cal” passed away suddenly in April after spending nearly thirty years with the Chiefs’ organization.