Two weeks ago, the Harwich Mariners got a two-inning preview against Orleans pitcher Ryan Oshinskie. In the final two innings of the 7-2 loss, Harwich couldn’t touch the righty.

That appearance stuck with Orleans manager Kelly Nicholson as he tabbed Oshinskie as the starting pitcher Tuesday. Holding a five-point lead for the final playoff spot in the East, beating the Mariners would be a huge boost.

Oshinskie threw the Mariners one of the best pitching performances they faced all season. The pitcher from Brown struck out eight Mariners in 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Harwich mustered just four hits as the offense struggled to get going all night.

Nicholson pressed all the right buttons as the Firebirds beat the Mariners for the third time this summer, 2-1. The loss snapped Harwich’s six-game win streak and prevented it from clinching a playoff spot.

“I feel like we were putting ourselves in bad counts,” catcher Matt Conte said. “We weren't going up to the plate with an approach. They called a good game.”

For the second consecutive matchup, the Harwich Mariners and Orleans Firebird engaged in a pitchers' duel.

Harwich’s Gianni Gambardella went inning-for-inning with Oshinskie, tossing five scoreless innings. He scattered four hits and two walks, running into trouble only once.

After a leadoff single from Cashel Dugger and a walk to Kyle Johnson, Gambardella threw a pitch that bounced to the backstop to put two men into scoring position with two outs.

The pitcher from the University of Maine brought the crowd to its feet by getting Ryan Kuckerak to look at strike three for his third punchout of the night.

Conte said Gambardella attacked hitters early and threw all his pitches for strikes during the start.

All three of the game’s runs came in the eighth.

Orleans broke the scoreless tie thanks to a no-doubt, leadoff home run from Tyler Myatt. His third home run of the summer came against Adam Arther. Orleans tacked on another run thanks to three consecutive batters reaching base against Thomas Shurtleff.

Conte drove in the sole Mariners run of the night. With men on first and second, he lined a single to left field off Steele Murdock to score new Mariner Patrick Fultz.

After shortstop Elijah Ickes mishandled the cutoff throw, Harwich had two men in scoring position.

Unfortunately for the Mariners, they left seven men on base in the game. Murdock recovered from the hit to strike out Sam DeCarlo to end the threat.

The second baseman reached base twice, recorded a single and a walk earlier in the game.

Murdock’s fastball touched 98 mph according to the stadium radar gun. In the ninth, he allowed some deep fly balls to Dee Kennedy and Kyle Wolff that were caught just feet in front of the fences.

Harwich finishes the season 0-7-2 on games after off-days. Luckily, the next one isn’t scheduled until the day after the regular-season finale.

Moving forward

The Mariners enter their final stretch of the regular season. Harwich heads to Cotuit for a final matchup with the Kettleers. First pitch is at 4:30 p.m.