Published in the August 3, 2018 edition

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

MELROSE — What a difference a week makes.

Having been firmly in third place for most of the second half, Wakefield seemed destined for a first round playoff matchup, especially late Monday night after their loss to first-place Lexington kept them at 29 points with three games remaining, behind the Watertown Reds, who had 32 points and three games remaining.

The Merchants responded by winning three straight road games in three straight days to close out their season with the Intercity League’s second seed, and a first round bye.

Get revenge on Andre, 8-2

RYAN COLLINS hit a three-run dinger during Wakefield’s 8-2 win over the Andre Chiefs on Tuesday.

Wakefield traveled to Pine Banks Field in Malden on Tuesday to rematch the Andre Chiefs who edged the Merchants 4-3 at Walsh on Sunday.

Powered by a three-run bomb from Ryan Collins, three hits from Chris Butler and doubles from the Barry brothers (Joe and Brendan), the bats broke out for an 8-2 win, that seemingly kept their hopes at a second seed and bye alive.

Domenic Nardone scooped up his second win of the season going five innings (6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K). Brandon Barlett, who’s been a welcome addition to the bullpen in the home stretch, finished the last two innings allowing just one hit and striking out two.

The Reds lost a close one to Lexington, 4-3, on Tuesday, meaning Wakefield was just one point back.

Maguire picks up second shutout

The Merchants kept the pressure on Watertown on Wednesday, giving the ball to their ace Joe Maguire who shut down the Somerville Royals at Trum Field 1-0. Maguire went all seven, allowing six hits while striking out nine.

Maguire (51.2) is one of just two pitchers in the ICL who have thrown over 50 innings this season. His 2.03 earned run average is fourth in the entire league and he’s pitched at least 16 innings more than those in second and third. Watertown’s Matt Horan (8-0, 60.2 IP, 1.27 ERA, 67 K, 12 BB) and Somerville’s Paul Covelle (2-3, 45.2 IP, 2.30 ERA, 61 K, 26 BB) are the only other starters in the league who can matchup with Maguire’s numbers this season (6-2, 51.2 IP, 2.03 ERA, 47 K, 3 BB).

In a repeat of the day before, the Merchants picked up another game against the Reds who lost to the Reading Bulldogs, 4-1, so Wakefield held a one point advantage, 33-32.

Andrews shuts out Melrose to clinch second seed

MIKE ANDREWS shut out the Melrose Americans last night to clinch the second seed, and a first-round bye in the ICL for the Wakefield Merchants. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

Just to make sure the second seed was their’s, the Merchants shut out the Melrose Americans at Morelli Field last night, 2-0.

The win guaranteed a bye in the first round as the Reds play one more game against Andre on Aug. 5 but even a win would put them one point back of Wakefield.

Mike Andrews got the complete game shutout against the Americans, scattering five hits, walking one and striking out one in seven innings.

Brendan Barry led the charge with two base hits, a triple and a run scored, as Joe Barry drove him in during the 5th inning.

The Merchants got the winning run in the first inning after Bobby Losanno doubled and Dillon Koster drove him in for his 19th RBI of the season, good for fourth in the ICL.

There will be more regular season games for other teams, but Losanno (41) and Koster (35) are currently one-two in the league in hits. Losanno’s 41 will be nearly impossible to catch. The reigning ICL MVP is also tops in batting average in 2018 (.432), third in doubles (8), second in triples (3), first in runs scored (30), second in stolen bases (14), second in slugging percentage (.642) and fourth in on-base percentage (.486).

The playoff schedule is to be determined as many teams will finish up previously postponed games.

The last regular season game is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7.