Firebirds Win 6 to 5 in 12 Innings!!!

Firebirds' ace, Rob Rasmussen took the hill for Orleans. He went 4 innings allowing 2 earned runs. Rasmussen left with the game tied 3-3. Steve Selsky's and Devin Lohman's home runs provided the first 3 runs of the game for Orleans.

The Firebirds got another run in the 5th on a very odd play. Mike Olt blooped one to center that Falmouth's center fielder, Todd Cunningham dropped. Running on 2 outs, Ross Heffley scored easily. Then, Danny Muno tried to score and was thrown out at home to end the inning with a mini-collision at the plate.

In the 9th, Orleans allowed 2 runs and Falmouth took a 5-4 lead over Orleans.

In the bottom of the 9th, Jaren Matthews reached on a walk. Gary Brown sacrifice bunted him over to 2nd. Devin Lohman moved him over on a ground out. Then, Matt Koch stepped to the plate and singled to left to drive Matthews in and tie the game.

On to the 12th now with Orleans batting. At this point, they could only tie or win because 12 is the maximum number of innings in the regular season that a game can go into. Kevin Muno, who went 4 for 5, walked. His younger brother, Danny tried to sacrifice bunt him over but drew a walk. Mike Olt was then intentionally walked. Jaren Matthews came up with 1 out and grounded to 2nd base. The 2nd basemen threw home and got Danny Muno out at home. The catcher tried to complete the double play by getting Matthews at 1st but threw it away; allowing Mike Olt to score the winning run for Orleans.

Magic Number down to 3 wins to make the playoffs! Remember, this number decreases every time that Orleans wins and (or) Brewster loses. Yarmouth-Dennis has clinched itself a playoff spot also. Orleans takes on Harwich at home on Friday. I may have coverage of that one on Twitter and may not. Also, they have a double-header at Wareham on Saturday. I will not have coverage of that on Twitter. The post for that game will probably just include the scores.

Also, Alex Hassan will sign a contract with the Red Sox Thursday at Fenway Park.

Firebirds' Magic Number Stuck At 5 As They Fall To Brewster 4 to 2

The game started out rough for Elliot Glynn as he went 2 and 1/3 allowing 4 earned runs. Harold Martinez hit a 2-run homer of Glynn to give the Whitecaps a 4-0 lead. Orleans bullpen did great, however, by combining to pitch 5 and 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball.

Orleans started its comeback with a Mike Olt double and a Danny Muno sacrifice fly to score Olt. Jeremy Gould drove in the other Firebird run. That wasn't enough runs to outscore the Whitecaps. Orleans fell short 4-2.

Also contributing to the Firebirds offense were Riccio Torrez and his triple, Hampton Tignor's 2 hits, and Jeremy Gould's 2 hits.

The Orleans Firebirds are 19-16-1 and currently sit 2nd in the east. Remember, the top 3 teams in each division make the playoffs so they are almost in with Chatham (3rd place) having lost 8 in a row and still in 3rd.

Orleans needs 5 wins to clinch. With 8 games left this number seems hard to reach, but it is not what it seems. 5 games means that if Brewster wins all of its remaining 7 games then Orleans has to win 5. Every time the Firebirds win and (or) Brewster loses, the number decreases. They take on Falmouth tomorrow.

Magic Number Down To 6 As Jorge Reyes Twirls Gem At Eldredge

Jorege Reyes allowed 1 hit and 0 earned runs in the Firebirds win over Harwich. Surprisingly, Orleans got down 1-0 in the 6th on an unearned run. Mike Olt and Kevin Muno both plated runs in the bottom of the 6th to take the lead, 2-1. Riccio Torrez then "went yard" in the 8th to add some insurance. Alex Hassan shut the doors to a 3-1 Orleans win.

4 Run 2nd Lifts Kettleers Over Birds

The Firebirds got off to a 1 run lead in the 1st but were unable to hold it as Matt Hiserman surrendered 4 runs in the top of the 2nd. The Firebirds were unable to claw their way back in this one and took the loss, 6 to 2. Mike Olt and Alex Hassan both went 1 for 4 with an RBI. Jaren Matthews and Matt Koch each had 2 hits in the loss. Brian Guinn and Cory Vaughn each had 2 RBI's in Cotuit's win. Thier pitcher, Jake Buchanan pitched a CG allowing 1 earned run on 6 hits.

Orleans is now 15-10-0 and still sits at the top of the East. They take on Brewster today and look to start a new winning streak.