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Sports

Doug Flutie's Bat Silences Blue Sox

Doug Flutie (yes, that one) knocks in lone run in Reading's 1-0 win over Lexington.

Manager Rick DeAngelis believes there is a lesson for his Lexington Blue Sox to learn with each game they play. Monday's tutorial? It's not easy to win ballgames without scoring a run.

Reading served as Lexington's teacher in that regard. The first-year Bulldogs picked up a 1-0 Intercity League victory over the Blue Sox at Lexington High School.

Not too many teams come away with a victory with a "0" on the scoreboard, DeAngelis said. None do, in fact. After the loss, DeAngelis had a long talk with his players about taking something away from the setback.

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"You want a quote?" he asked. "The quote is: 'It's hard to win when you don't score any runs.' It's nearly impossible. In fact, it's virtually impossible. In fact, it's absolutely impossible.

"We didn't hit. We had a couple of opportunities, but we didn't hit the ball."

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Reading (16-13) capitalized on a scarce opportunity to score the game's only run.

Resident Boston sports cult hero Doug Flutie (yes, of Heisman Trophy and New England Patriots fame) knocked in the game's only run when he reached on an error in the second inning. It was no Hail Mary touchdown or dropkick field goal, but Flutie's grounder to first base got the job done.

After two quick outs, Reading designated hitter Andy Gagnon reached on a single. He moved to second base on a passed ball and Andrew Bishop followed with a hit-by-pitch.

Next up was Flutie. Lexington (21-7) first baseman Nick Martinho misplayed Flutie's grounder, allowing Gagnon to score from second.

"The veteran presence on the team," Reading manager Matt Morrison said jokingly about Flutie. "He just sets a great example for everybody, myself included. He just wants to blend in with everyone and put in his time and effort."

Flutie started at second base and was the No. 8 hitter for the Bulldogs.

The former six-time CFL Most Outstanding Player showed he's still as competitive as ever. He jawed with umpires and Blue Sox players alike, and even flashed some leather – both good and bad.

The bad was a flubbed pop fly he let drop in the third inning. Reading still got a force out at second on the play, but Flutie was still visibly upset with himself. He atoned for the mistake the following inning by snagging a hard-hit line drive.

Blue Sox outfielder Dan Graham stung one right at Flutie and he reacted quickly to grab.

"Flutie still hasn't seen that one," DeAngelis joked.

It was the kind of bad luck Lexington suffered all night. It registered just four hits and stranded runners at third base on two occasions. Both times Matt McEvoy was the one left 90 feet from the plate.

McEvoy had singles in the second (with two outs) and fifth innings (leadoff), but didn't come around either time.

Reading starter Dan Eisenberg (five innings, four hits, three strikeouts) and lefty reliever Chris Labriola combined to retire nine straight Blue Sox to finish the game. Eisenberg got the win, but was forced to leave after the fifth inning with a blister on his throwing hand.

"The kids were out there throwing well," Morrison said. "The kid for us (Eisenberg) pitched ahead in the count; he's a pitcher for Tufts University. He took advantage of his opportunities and got the win."

Lexington starter Sam Finn also pitched a good game, but was saddled with the tough-luck loss. He went the first five innings, allowing the one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts.

It appeared the Bulldogs were poised to add some cushion in the sixth inning, but Finn worked out of a bases-loaded jam. Doug Dellorfon led off with an infield single and got to second when the throw sailed wide of first base. Bill Cataldo then reached on an error.

After a groundout, DeAngelis opted to intentionally walk Gagnon to set up the double play. Morrison countered by calling for a suicide squeeze, but Dellorfon was tagged out between third and home when Bishop missed a bunt attempt. The inning ended with Bishop striking out.

Despite the loss, DeAngelis said a reality check could be good for his team heading into next week's playoffs, in which Lexington holds one of two first-round byes.

"I'm about learning lessons," he said. "This is a preview of what playoff baseball is like. You have to make the most of your opportunities when they present themselves. They don't present themselves that often. In fact, you have to make them happen."

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