ADAM CHANLEY earned a complete game shutout in Game 1 of the Twi League Finals last night at Moulton Park, allowing one earned run in seven strong innings. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

WAKEFIELD — Game 1 of the Twi League Finals belonged to Adam Chanley. 

The Unknowns ace gave up just one run, scattered four hits and two walks and struck out one in a complete game effort, leading his team to a 3-1 victory and a 1-0 series lead. 

His Brewers counterpart, Colin Jaena, was almost as good, giving up two earned and eight hits while walking one and striking out seven.

CHRIS POWER slides home under a tag from Brewers catcher John Halsey to tie Game 1 at 1-1 in the 3rd. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

A couple of clutch RBI knocks were the difference for the Orange: Bobby Pearl (2-for-3) got the first one on a base hit to tie the game at 1-1 in the 3rd and Brett Maloney (2-for-4, 2 doubles) got the other on a double in the 5th to extend the lead to 3-1.

That was more than enough for Chanley who pitched to contact and let his defense make plays, specifically Pearl, Brandon Panarese and Luke Martin in the outfield who combined for eight putouts.

The Brewers got on the board first when Brendan Casey crushed a towering home run over the left field fence to lead off the bottom of the 2nd. It was a no-doubter – to the point where the cars parked on Byron St. should be thankful they didn’t have to call Wakefield High alum Dennis Drinkwater at 1-800-54-Giant (and it’s a good thing they didn’t; retirement is meant for watching baseball, not answering calls). 

Anyways, it was Chanley who channeled the jingle for the remainder of the day as the rest of his outing was done right and done fast. He allowed just five base runners throughout the next 18 outs including three-up and three-down frames in the 4th, 5th and 6th. 

The Unknowns wasted no time in evening the score in the top of the 3rd. Jaena had allowed just one hit and fanned four in the first two innings and should have had a 1,2,3 3rd until an error allowed Chris Power to reach with one out. Later with two outs and Power on second, Pearl sliced an RBI single to left. There was a play at the plate but Power got a leg under catcher John Halsey to tie it up. Maloney followed with his first double of the day. John Zagaria made a great barehanded play to stop the ball from rolling in center which probably saved a run but a wild pitch later scored Pearl for a 2-1 Orange lead. Jaena got Geoff Eriksen to pop up to end the threat.

The Brewers went for a two-out rally of their own in the bottom of the 3rd, started up by a Zagaria walk. Matt Fiore then hit an infield single to bring up the vaunted Casey but Chanley got him to fly out to right this time. 

Kevin Murray started up the Unknowns’ 4th with a leadoff double but Jaena battled back, striking out Martin with a nasty hook, popping up Scott Elwell and getting Bryan Butt to line out. 

Three fly outs sat the Brewers down in order in the bottom of the 4th.

A one-out double by Panarese in the top of the 5th eventually led to Maloney who followed through with another two-out hit, this time an RBI double for a 3-1 lead. Jaena again got Eriksen to end it.

While Chanley was getting nine consecutive outs without a baserunner from the 4th through the 6th, Jaena was battling to keep his team in it. Martin reached on an infield single in the 6th but was erased by Halsey while trying to swipe second. Elwell blooped a single with two down but Jaena had enough two-out action as he got Butt to ground out. 

The righty got Power looking for one out of another quick half inning in the top of the 7th. 

The Brew Crew put enough of a scare into the Unknowns in the bottom of the 7th to at least set the tone for game two tonight.

Halsey led off with an infield single. Mike Fiore hit into a 6-4 fielders choice and Chris Coombs popped up to first baseman Butt who made it interesting in foul ground, getting turned around multiple times and diving at the last second while adding a bobble for good measure. It was the type of play in which holding onto the ball is the difference between laughing it off or cursing it out. 

Tim Hurley made it even more interesting with another infield single to put runners at the corners with two down. Chanley, as he had all game, stayed composed and won a good battle with Tom Leahy, finally getting him to pop up to Eriksen at short to end it.

The fireworks are just getting started in this five-game series. Fans can expect to see Chanley and Jaena again, especially if the Brewers can force a game four. 

The two teams played twice in the regular season with the Brewers winning both by shutouts but the Unknown bats have been hot this postseason. 

Game Two is tonight, 5:45 p.m. at Moulton Park.