The Hyannis Harbor Hawks climbed back to an even .500 record – 17-17 – on the season on Monday at Red Wilson Field, showing up the league-leading Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox and halting a late comeback to clinch a one-run contest, 5-4.

The Red Sox are a team that does seemingly everything right, leading the league offensively with a .703 team OPS and posting a league-low 2.38 team ERA. Even so, Hyannis’ victory evened the season series against the league leaders and delivered Yarmouth-Dennis only its eighth loss this season.

Hyannis’ star was starting pitcher Ryan Bosch, who turned in his best start of the year against the Red Sox’s potent offense and lowered his season ERA to 3.38. Bosch’s gem spanned five scoreless innings and 74 pitches, and he struck out six while giving up only two hits and three walks. Both hits against Bosch were singles.

“Each outing, just getting better, competing better, and eliminating the damage,” Bosch said. “Just go out and compete and try to get the win and do what’s best for the team.”

Only once did Yarmouth-Dennis advance a runner into scoring position against the Wake Forest southpaw – in the bottom of the second inning, when Bosch walked two. He neutralized the threat with a three-pitch strikeout.

Bosch said his fastball stood out, especially when he pitched it inside – “[I] was able to get the fastball inside and then execute the offspeed to get them off the heater,” he said, “and it was just what worked well.”

“He was excellent tonight,” Karraker said. “The command with the fastball was really, really good. It was just getting on guys and being able to get a lot of missed barrels and swings and misses, and so that makes it really easy for us. Really happy with him tonight.”

The Harbor Hawks jumped on Yarmouth-Dennis starter Dimitri Angelakos early – a tall task, as shown by Angelakos’ 1.15 season ERA. Hyannis second baseman Matt Ineich led the day off with a ground-rule double to center field, and designated hitter Jax Gimenez took a base on balls two batters later.

The electric baserunning duo of Ineich and Gimenez executed a double steal, the two picking up their 11th and 12th steals this season, respectively. Gimenez took off for second, drawing a throw from the catcher and allowing Ineich to steal home, putting the Harbor Hawks up 1-0.

Karraker credited Ineich and Gimenez’s speedy baserunning with putting pressure on opponents’ pitching and defense – “they might have to pitch a little bit different,” he said, “which helps the hitters behind [Ineich and Gimenez]. They do some things that can create some runs for us in different ways, so really pumped to have those guys at the top [of the batting order].”

Angelakos gave up no more runs in his four-inning start, but looked mortal as Hyannis tagged him for four hits, including three doubles.

Yarmouth-Dennis reliever Brisen Tweedy replaced Angelakos and failed to record an out, walking two to begin the fifth inning and allowing Ineich an RBI on the West Virginia infielder’s second of three hits on the day.

Red Sox manager Scott Pickler immediately replaced Tweedy with reliever Owen Birchard, who retired two, then allowed a two-out rally through no fault of his own.

If there’s one thing the Harbor Hawks do right, it’s taking advantage of bad defense. Yarmouth-Dennis third baseman Kevin Takeuchi had an ugly defensive inning, committing errors on consecutive plays. First, Takeuchi misplayed a batted ball by Hyannis right fielder Clay Thompson, allowing catcher Brody Briggs to score. On the next play, Takeuchi’s second slip-up allowed first baseman Andrew Lamb to reach and two runners to score, giving the Harbor Hawks five runs – three unearned.

Just when Hyannis seemed comfortably ahead, Yarmouth-Dennis came roaring back. Harbor Hawks righty Liam Kinneen followed Bosch’s five-inning gem and turned in an uncharacteristically shaky outing. Kinneen started his day with a hit by pitch, then retired the side, but struggled in the seventh.

All of the Red Sox’s batted balls fell in against Kinneen, who allowed six consecutive hits to open his second frame. Yarmouth-Dennis catcher Mateo Serna pitched in the Red Sox’s first RBI of the day, but was thrown out at second for the first out. After another single, Kinneen allowed a home run to Yarmouth-Dennis designated hitter Cole Hansen, bringing the Red Sox within two.

Kinneen allowed another run on two more hits and a sacrifice fly, but Karraker came out to the mound to calm him down – telling Kinneen to get the ball lower in the strike zone as the Red Sox were hitting his elevated pitches – and Kinneen escaped the inning with a swinging strikeout of Takeuchi, the score 5-4.

Karraker sent Kinneen out for the eighth, but soon changed his mind as Kinneen allowed two baserunners to begin the frame. Van Froling came on to pitch for the Harbor Hawks, and Lamb’s crafty defensive play helped Froling strand the runners.

“Runners on first and second, no outs, a lot of momentum going their way,” Froling said. “It’s super easy for things to get out of hand.”

Serna attempted to bunt the runners into scoring position and popped the ball up towards first. Instead of catching it for the out, Lamb let the ball drop and slung it to shortstop Charlie Bates for the forceout at second base. Bates relayed the ball to third baseman Taylor Kirk, who made his out at the hot corner.

“I’ve seen a bunch of plays happen, and when you get an opportunity like that, it’s kind of fun when you get to actually put the thought into play,” Lamb said. “Baseball IQ just hit me, and it turned out well for us. I can’t complain, and obviously a big situation, too.”

Froling said Lamb’s play was “a huge shot of relief” – “and then all the momentum’s back on our side,” he said. He ended the inning with a one-pitch groundout.

Entering the ninth, the Harbor Hawks returned to their trademark smallball strategy, playing for one insurance run. The speedy Ineich bunted for a hit and center fielder Nick Dromboski bunted him to second. Insurance was not to be, however, as Yarmouth-Dennis reliever Kadan Roach – who struck out four in three scoreless innings – induced two ground balls to send the game to the bottom of the ninth.

With the opportunity to earn his first save of the season, Froling needed only three pitches to retire the first two men he faced. The Red Sox’s final out was second baseman Phoenix Call, who battled with Froling through six pitches but ultimately struck out swinging as the Harbor Hawks secured the 5-4 victory.

“They’re competitive,” Karraker said of the Red Sox. “Even with a five-run lead, you can see it can change quickly, especially in this park. So, proud of the guys for getting outs when we had to and holding on to get a win.”

The Harbor Hawks have another early start away at the Cotuit Kettleers on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Lowell Park.