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By Robert Balajadia

Braves 1st baseman Jim Reyes stretches to get the out. (photo by Jose Perez)

The top seeded Braves got a clutch performance from Pete “Pikachu” Guerrero in the eighth inning to steal Game 1 against the Crown bakery Phillies, beating them 5-3 while taking a 1-0 lead in the Championship series.

The Phillies were riding a hot streak into the finals after sweeping the Bank of Guam Athletics and were half an inning away from continueing the hot streak.

Leading 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Braves Rico Castro got a base hit putting teammate Jarred Palomo on second base.  Dominic Cruz came in a batter later with the bases loaded and managed to get a RBI to tie the game, but was tagged out at first base.  Guerrero then came in and slammed the ball deep right to bring in Castro and Chad Palomo to take the 5-3 lead.

“I just came out to bat and wanted to hit the ball.  Nobody likes to lose, I know I don’t like to lose.  I came up, got lucky and got a base hit.  I knew we had it already once we took the lead.  Our defense is one solid defense,” stated Guerrero, who went 1-1 with 2RBI’s.

McDonald’s Player of the Game: Pete “Pikachu” Guerrero.

The Phillies then had to rely on their offense to win the game against Braves reliever Jerome Andrew who came in for pitcher Glen Fernandez.  The Phillies  first two batters of the inning, Jathan Muna-Barnes and R.J. Joe, were tagged out at first base.

Matt Muna managed to get a base hit to excite the Phillies fans and teammates in the dugout but the following batter J.D. San Nicolas could not bring his team back, striking out to end the game giving Andrew the save andGlenn  Fernandez the win.

Braves starting pitcher Lance Santos had a great first inning but a disastrous second inning led to the change to Fernandez.

Da Braves got two runs in the first inning off an RBI  single by Castro and Tony Doyle to take the lead.  Santos ended the first inning on three-straight strikeouts while getting his fourth straight in the top of the second.  However, Santos hit Brandon Hernandez by pitch and walked three straight Phillie’s players which allowed them to bring in two runs to tie the game.

The Phillies took a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth inning off a sac-fly by Calvert Alokoa and managed to keep Da Braves at bay until their eighth inning rally.

Winning pitcher Fernandez had strikeouts, allowed just three hits and one run, and walked two batters.

Losing pitcher Freddy Cepeda went the distance and allowed four hits and five runs, walked three batters and hit two batters by pitch.

Game 2 is Friday night at 7 pm.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Braves Jim Reyes hustles to try and beat the throw to first base, but was out on the play. (photo by Jose Perez)

Braves’ pitcher Glen Fernandez. (photo by Jose Perez)

Braves 3rd baseman Tony Doyle gets a pop fly for an easy out. (photo by Jose Perez)

Branden Fernandez keeps his eyes on the pitcher as he gets ready to steal second base. (photo by Jose Perez)

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