Connect with us

Baseball

BRAVES ADVANCE TO FINALS

[sixcol_five_last]

By Robert Balajadia

Braves’ third baseman Chad Palomo picked up a grounder and throws the ball towards first base to make the play. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Braves’ third baseman Chad Palomo picked up a grounder and throws the ball towards first base to make the play. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Da Braves avoided a Game 5 against the 76 Cardinals by beating them 10-4 in Game 4 of the Budweiser Baseball League Semifinals Series to advance to the championship game while still awaiting the winner of the BOG Athletics vs. Crown Bakery Phillies.

Winning pitcher for the Braves was Tony Yatar with 4K’s while R.J. Cruz gets the loss for the Cardinlas, who finished with 3K’s.

A strong seventh inning allowed the Braves to get their biggest lead of the game at 9-1, powered by a 3RBI triple by T.J. Sarmiento.  Da Braves scored four runs in the seventh inning to put the game just out of reach while avoiding a near eighth inning comeback by the Cardinals.

The Cardinals were still down 9-1 entering the bottom of the eighth inning when Da Braves began to make defensive substitutions.  Jared Alerta got a base hit to break the hitting cold streak for the Cards before a handful of errors by the Braves allowed two runners to score to cut the lead 9-3.  Coby Muna Barnes hit an RBI single to post another run for the Cards which gave their fans and teammates in the dugout a reason to celebrate.

Braves’ Paul Lujan came in for starting pitcher Tony Yatar in the seventh inning but Lujan was opening the door for a possible Cardinals comeback.  After Lujan walked Cardinals Shawn Dela Cruz, Da Braves went to their bullpen and brought out closer Cliff Raphael.

Raphael did not allow the Cardinals to gain another run despite having the bases loaded in the eighth inning.  Da Braves added another run in the top of the ninth inning while Raphael closed out the bottom of the ninth.

Braves’ starting pitcher Tony Yatar. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Braves’ starting pitcher Tony Yatar. (photo by Jesse Castro)

“We were up and yeah, they did score three runs but we just needed to get outs.  The more outs we get the faster we would win this game,” stated starting pitcher Tony Yatar on the near Cardinals comeback.

Da Braves jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the top of the second inning behind a 2RBI single by B.J. Balajadia.  Cardinals starting pitcher R.J. Cruz had struck out Braves lead hitter Allen Sarmiento in the inning and managed to get Chad Palomo out at first a batter later.  Facing two outs, Balajadia slammed the RBI single and advanced to second base to extend the lead 3-0.

Braves Carl Quintanilla brought Balajadia in with an RBI single and Rico Castro brought in Quintanilla a play later with an RBI single as well to get the 5-0 early lead.

Braves Balajadia finished 2-5 with one run and 2RBI’s, while teammates Rico Castro went 3-6 for one RBI and TJ Sarmiento going 2-5 with two runs and 4RBI’s w/a triple.

Cardinals Coby Muna Barnes had the only RBI for his team.

When asked about their finals opponent and who was more dangerous Yatar responded with, “Whoever we play, no matter [Phillies] or [A’s], we’re going to come and play ball.  Whoever makes the least errors, best plays, and most hits are going to win.  The best team will be out there.”

The Phillies took Game 1 of the series on Thursday and the series will continue on Sunday, July 14.

 

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

http://www.akguam.com/ou/tamuning-scion/

Braves’ Carl Quintanilla dives back to first base as Cardinals’ first baseman Jesse Alerta waits for the ball to arrive. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Braves’ Carl Quintanilla dives back to first base as Cardinals’ first baseman Jesse Alerta waits for the ball to arrive. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cardinals starting pitcher R.J. Cruz. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cardinals starting pitcher R.J. Cruz. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Braves’ B.J. Balajadia sends the ball out towards left field for a double RBI brining in teammates John Salas and Tony Doyle. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Braves’ B.J. Balajadia sends the ball out towards left field for a double RBI brining in teammates John Salas and Tony Doyle. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cardinals’ Nick Cruz hit the ball out for a single RBI brining in teammate Jarred Alerta. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cardinals’ Nick Cruz hit the ball out for a single RBI brining in teammate Jarred Alerta. (photo by Jesse Castro)

[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/baseball/braves-advance-to-finals/” type=”button”] [fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/baseball/braves-advance-to-finals/” style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]

[/sixcol_five_last]

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

January

February 2025

March
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Events for January

1st

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Events for February

1st

No Events
Events for February

3rd

Events for February

4th

Events for February

5th

Events for February

6th

Events for February

7th

Events for February

8th

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Events for February

9th

Events for February

9th

No Events
Events for February

11th

Events for February

11th

No Events
Events for February

13th

Events for February

14th

Events for February

15th

16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Events for February

15th

No Events
Events for February

16th

No Events
Events for February

18th

Events for February

19th

Events for February

20th

Events for February

21st

Events for February

22nd

23
24
25
26
27
28
1
Events for February

23rd

Events for February

23rd

No Events
Events for February

25th

Events for February

26th

Events for February

27th

Events for February

28th

COMING SOON …

QUICK HITS

The father-son duo of Kin and Don Pedro Cruz aboard @shutupandfishguam roped in this monster mamulan Saturday morning off the coast of Hågat. The mamulan fought for over 40 minutes on light drag.
—————————————-
Guam’s Team Yi Impact won the 10th Dreamers Youth Basketball Challenge in Manila, Philippines, taking the U18 girls division.

More in Baseball