Connect with us

Baseball

PHILLIES SWEEP ATHLETICS 3-0

[sixcol_five_last]

By Robert Balajadia

Phillies’ starting pitcher J.D. San Nicolas. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Phillies’ starting pitcher J.D. San Nicolas. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Everyone knew each game was going to be down-to-the-wire between the Crown Bakery Phillies and Bank of Guam Athletics, but not many people predicted a sweep.

Phillies’ pitcher J.D. San Nicolas pitched all nine innings, getting seven strikeouts in the closest game of the series, beating the Athletics 3-2 and completing the 3-0 sweep.  The Phillies will play Da Braves Tuesday July 23 in Game 1 of the best-of-seven championship series. Da Braves are looking to win their fifth straight BBL title and are the heavy favorites.

The Phillies were heading into the eighth inning still clinging on to the 3-2 lead when San Nicolas caught fire.  Athletics’ first batter of the inning D.J. Cruz was struck out by San Nicolas, followed by Ryan Martinez who was also left swinging for the out.  A’s big hitter Mike Bautista could not generate a base hit ending the inning, keeping the Phillies lead safe.

Jathan Muna-Barnes put the Phillies in position to further the lead with a base hit that turned into a double off an A’s error, while advancing teammate Mike Cruz to third base.  Phillies’ Shon Muna Jr. managed to create contact with the ball, but a great play at second base allowed A’s catcher Bautista to make the play on Cruz at home to prevent the score.

The A’s were down to their final chance to force a game four in the bottom of the ninth inning with San Nicolas still at the mound.  San Nicolas managed to strike out A’s lead hitter Randy Alcantara which got the Phillies’ players and fans cheering as they sensed the games end.  Paul Pangelinan could not beat the throw to first base putting the A’s in a deeper hole with two outs and no men on base.

The following A’s batter Roke Alcantra Jr. was walked but teammate Kris Koneshiro got a base hit which advanced Alcantara to second base.  With the pressure building and just one out away from victory, San Nicolas started getting anxious.

Phillies’ shortstop Jathan Muna-Barnes tosses the ball to second baseman Tim Cruz to make the double play. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Phillies’ shortstop Jathan Muna-Barnes tosses the ball to second baseman Tim Cruz to start the double play. (photo by Jesse Castro)

“It was very nerve-racking, but we just had to have a lot of confidence.  We had two outs, just needed to trust the guys and not just myself.  We have eight other good players behind me.  I was good to go the entire game,” stated San Nicolas.

Ignacio Aldan tried to bring home Alcantara Jr. but could not get enough distance on the hit, getting tagged out at first base, ending the game.

Rick Fernandez gets the loss for the A’s with four strikeouts while relief pitcher Sean Cruz finished the three strikeouts.

Tim Cruz got the lone RBI for the Phillies as they scored all their runs in the fourth inning.  Roke Alcantara had an RBI for the Athletics with Bautista and Randy Alcantara scoring the teams only runs.

With one upset over, San Nicolas and the Phillies now set their sights on the best in the league in Da Braves.  San Nicolas elaborated saying,”During the regular season we went 1-1 with them and we just need to keep that confidence, go out there and play hard.  ‘Small-ball,’ that’s all it is.”

Da Braves and Phillies are slated to play every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday until the winner is determined.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

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

Athletics’ Randy Alcantara starts his swing to send the ball out for a single. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Athletics’ Randy Alcantara starts his swing to send the ball out for a single. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Athletics’ starting pitcher Rick Fernandez. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Athletics’ starting pitcher Rick Fernandez. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Phillies’ Brandon San Nicolas cracks out a grounder towards left field and will go on for a single. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Phillies’ Brandon San Nicolas cracks out a grounder towards left field and will go on for a single. (photo by Jesse Castro)

[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/baseball/phillies-sweep-athletics-3-0/” type=”button”] [fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/baseball/phillies-sweep-athletics-3-0/” style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]

[/sixcol_five_last][useful_banner_manager_banner_rotation banners=53, 69, 38 interval=8 width=120 height=600 orderby=rand]

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

September

October 2023

November
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Events for September

30th

No Events
Events for October

2nd

Events for October

3rd

Events for October

3rd

No Events
Events for October

5th

Events for October

6th

Events for October

7th

8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Events for October

7th

No Events
Events for October

9th

Events for October

10th

Events for October

11th

Events for October

12th

Events for October

13th

08:00 PM - 11:00 PM

BRAWL 3

Dusit Thani Resorts
Events for October

14th

15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Events for October

14th

No Events
Events for October

15th

No Events
Events for October

17th

Events for October

17th

No Events
Events for October

19th

Events for October

20th

Events for October

21st

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Events for October

21st

No Events
Events for October

22nd

No Events
Events for October

24th

Events for October

24th

No Events
Events for October

26th

Events for October

27th

Events for October

28th

29
30
31
1
2
3
4
Events for October

29th

Events for October

29th

No Events
Events for October

31st

COMING SOON …

  • High school girls volleyball playoffs
  • Brawl 3: Oct 13
  • Guam’s Strongest Man and Woman Competition October 29

 

QUICK HITS

The Figo Islanders 40s women’s softball team took gold in the Senior Softball World Championship in Las Vegas. Figo came out of the loser’s bracket and beat the Arizona Belles 17-3 in the AA division championship game Sunday afternoon.
Other Guam teams that played in the 40s tournament were: Team SOTTA (women’s) and Bud Light Guam, Friars 671 and Sindalun Guahan (men’s).
Sindalu finished a respectable 4th out of 24 AAA division teams.
——————————————————-
In Guam’s first time competing in the FIBA Asia Cup, we draw China, Japan, and Mongolia in Group C. Competition begins in 2024. Guam also moves up the FIBA world rankings to #76.

More in Baseball