By Mike Rubin

The Somerville Alibrandis remain in second place despite their 5-1 loss to the Malden Bulldogs on Thursday.

With first place in the division on the line, the Somerville Alibrandis fell a bit short.

Patrick Shanahan fired a three-hitter through six innings as the Malden Bulldogs cruised to a 5-1 win over the Alibrandis in Thursday night’s Yawkey League showdown at Maplewood Field. With the loss, the Alibrandis fell to 12-4-1 overall and five points out of first place. The Bulldogs currently have 30 while the Alibrandis are second with 25.

“It’s tough because we had a chance to get within striking range of first place,” said coach Rob McDonald. “Their pitcher was solid and he kept the ball over the plate. He was very consistent and managed to throw strikes. Give credit to them, they did a great job and we just have to bounce back.”

With ace Sean Gildea on the mound for the Alibrandis, the Bulldogs staked out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. After Anthony Perry and Evan Tardungo reached on consecutive singles, Brad Tardugno roped a blast that sailed over the left field fence for a three run home run

Securing the win, the Bulldogs added a run in the last of the fifth and sixth innings.

Other offensive contributors for the Bulldogs included Perry and Hunter Caron, who each recorded two hits with an RBI. Gildea, who entered the season with a personal record of 4-0, falls to 4-1 overall.

Offensively for Alibrandis, Adajatay Nyadjroh led the way, recorded two hits and scoring the Albirandi’s lone run in the third. Other offensive contributors included David Scioli with a hit while Bernie Driscoll recorded two walks and a stolen base.

“We just couldn’t get the bats going,” said McDonald. “Their pitcher pretty much kept us off balanced throughout the game.”

After suffering a tough 18-8 loss the night before, the Alibrandis escaped with a 2-1 win over Al Thomas on Monday night. On the mound, Chris Foundas allowed just one run one hit through six innings. Foundas also walked four and struck out seven while Jay Wisner earned his fifth save, striking out two while finishing out the last inning.

“(Foundas) was awesome, and he definitely was in control of the game,’ said McDonough. “He kept the ball over the plate, and he kept their hitters off balance.”

Despite registering just three hits, the Alibrandis were able to still manage two runs. Offensively, Tom McDonough recorded a hit and an RBI while Antony Tomaro added a hit and a run followed by Sal Mendonca (run) and Crisafulli (hit).

In Sunday’s 18-8 loss to the South Boston Saints, Jon Morse took the loss, allowing seven runs on seven hits while lasting just three and a third innings. In relief, Foundas allowed a run through two-thirds of an inning while McDonough allowed eight runs on five hits while recording just one out.