Monday, July 30, versus Harwich: With playoff time approaching, the Commodores handily defeated the Mariners, who beat Falmouth in last season's championship finals series. Every member of Falmouth's starting lineup had at least one hit, run, or RBI, and the Commodores got a team effort on the mound as well. Spot starter John Simms got things off on the right foot, giving up one run while striking out 11 through his six strong innings, and relievers Sam Paterson, John Colella, and Johnny Magliozzi each contributed one perfect inning. The defense, sometimes a question mark for the 2012 Commodores, was solid on Monday, committing no errors. It all added up to a 6-1 Falmouth win.
Thursday, August 2, versus Orleans: The Falmouth offense showed no sign of rust after a two-day break (due to a rainout coupled with a scheduled off day). It was another all-around effort, with every starting position player getting at least one hit, and all but one getting at least one RBI. The attack built steadily, with single runs in the second and third, and two in the fifth, until reaching a crescendo with a five-run sixth. A one-run coda in the seventh gave Falmouth 10, more than it would need. After a strong start by Trey Masek (one earned run on five hits with six strikeouts through 6.2), the bullpen bent but didn't break, and Falmouth walked away with the 10-6 win, its fifth straight victory.
Friday, August 3, at Orleans: The Firebirds exacted some revenge on Friday, snapping Falmouth's winning streak with a 4-2 win in Orleans. Craig Schlitter continued the string of strong Commodores starts, giving up one unearned run through six innings or work, but normally dependable reliever John Colella ran into problems in the seventh, surrendering three runs and taking the loss.
Saturday, August 4, at Wareham and Hyannis: Falmouth began a busy and successful day by taking their rescheduled contest with Wareham, 4-2. Starter Jonathan Dziedzic gave the Commodores exactly what they needed, quality innings, surrendering two runs over seven, and saving the bullpen for the day's second game. Traveling to Hyannis for the regularly scheduled contest, Falmouth found itself in a back-and-forth battle with the Harbor Hawks, twice jumping out ahead by two runs only to see Hyannis draw even. The hitting hero was Michael O'Neill, who went 3-4 with two runs scored, including the eighth-inning tally that put the Commodores up for good (scoring on a two-out Casey Turgeon single after leading off the inning with a triple).
Sunday, August 5, versus Wareham: The Gatemen put Falmouth's one-day, two-game win streak to an end on Sunday, winning a wild one despite all but one of the starting Commodore nine garnering at least one hit. After Wareham jumped ahead with two runs in the third, Falmouth countered with four in the fourth, including a solo shot by Jake Rodriguez to lead off the inning. Wareham reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth with three runs on back-to-back homers, and Falmouth fought back with four more runs in the bottom half, taking advantage of three Wareham miscues, and some timely hitting, including a solo blast by Ka'iana Eldredge. Wareham came right back with two runs in the sixth to draw within one, but Falmouth held the lead into the ninth. But Magliozzi, one of Falmouth's best arms all season, didn't have his best stuff, and couldn't lock down the save, giving up a two-run homer, and the lead. The Commodores went down battling, getting the tying run to second on two two-out walks before finally falling, 9-8.
The game was Falmouth's last against division-rival Wareham in the regular season, but the two may see each other again in the first round of the playoffs, set to begin this Thursday, August 9. The Commodores will wind up their 2012 regular season with two games against the first-place Kettleers, first at Cotuit on Monday at 4:30 p.m., then back home at Guv Fuller Field at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.