DA BRAVES BACK ON TRACK

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By Robert Balajadia

Braves’ Tony Doyle cracked the ball out towards center field for one of his 2RBI single’s. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Da Braves quickly bounced back after dropping game 2 of the best of five series against the 76 Cardinals last Friday with a big 16-1 win, that ended via 10-run mercy rule, in Tuesday night’s game 3 of the Budweiser Baseball League’s semifinals.

While going through their entire batting rotation in the first inning, Da Braves got off to quick 4-0 lead while shutting out the Cardinals in the first two innings.

Da Braves Tony Doyle cashed in a big game with  6RBI’s while also going 3-4 at bat, with each hit bringing in 2RBI’s.  Doyle got his first four RBI’s off Cardinals starting pitcher Josh Aguigui, who Doyle retired in the second inning while Da Braves were enjoying a 7-0 lead.  Aguigui had a rough second inning throwing three wild pitches before giving up the RBI’s by Doyle.

“Everybody’s mindset was to get back to playing the way we [usually] do and get on base.  My job tonight was to pull in runs,” stated Doyle.

The pitching change did not slow down Doyle’s hot hand as he got his third 2RBI single off relief pitcher Tim Cordero in the bottom of the fourth inning, forcing the Cardinals to go to their bullpen once again.  The Braves led 9-0 after Doyle’s sixth RBI.

Cardinals’ starting pitcher Josh Aguigui gave up seven runs in the first two innings. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The Cardinals tried to avoid the 10-run mercy rule by scoring their only run of the game in the top of the sixth inning as Jesse Alerta brought in the RBI off a sac-fly, but Da Braves responded with six more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.

When asked if Friday’s possible close-out game against the Cardinals will be the toughest game of the series Doyle responded with, “The momentum of today’s game will most likely carry on to the next game so that’s what were looking for.  We just have to come out and play hard and we’ll come out victorious.”

Da Braves pitcher Jerome Andrew, who came in top of the fifth inning for starting pitcher Lance Santos, gets the win while Aguigui gets the loss for the Cardinals.

Jared Palomo had 2RBI’s for Da Braves along with teammates Dominic Cruz, John Sarmiento, JQ and Carl Quintanilla, getting an RBI each.  Wild pitches, walks, and errors by the Cardinals accounted for Da Braves other four runs.

Game four of this series will be played on Friday, July 12.  With one semifinals series drawing to a close the other series between the Bank of Guam A’s vs. the Crown Bakery Phillies will, if mother nature allows, play game 1 on Thursday night.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Braves’ starting pitcher Lance Santos did not allow any runs through five innings. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cardinals’ Coby Muna Barnes gets on base with this hit out towards left field. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Cardinals’ right fielder Shawn Dela Cruz makes the catch for the out. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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